Public Inquiry

Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses Inquiry (Northern Ireland)

Status: Ongoing Chair: Professor Leanne McCormick and Professor Sean O'Connell Established: Feb 2022

Investigation into mother and baby homes, Magdalene laundries and workhouses in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995, where over 14,000 girls and women are estimated to have passed through. Phase 1 Independent Panel Final Report published 21 October 2025. Phase …

Key facts

Duration (ongoing): 4 years, 5 months

Reports & milestones

Reports

No reports listed.

Timeline

01 Oct 2021 Co-design panel r… A co-design panel considering how an investigation and redress scheme should work reported to the Northern Ireland Executive.
30 Nov 2021 Executive agrees … The Northern Ireland Executive agreed to establish an investigation into mother and baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses.
01 Apr 2023 Independent Panel… An Independent Panel was appointed to lead the non-statutory investigation, ahead of a planned statutory Phase 2 public …
22 May 2024 Independent Panel… The Independent Panel published its interim report.
16 Jun 2025 Redress Bill intr… The Inquiry and Redress Scheme Bill, providing for a statutory Phase 2 public inquiry, was introduced to the …
30 Jun 2026 Bill passes Final… The Inquiry and Redress Scheme Bill passed its Final Stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
06 Jul 2026 Independent Panel… The Independent Panel, the non-statutory precursor investigation distinct from the planned statutory Phase 2 inquiry, published its final …

Parliamentary activity

1 mention since Nov 2024
1 question
05 Nov 2024 Written Question Care Homes: Northern Ireland
Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party)
View all 1 mention →