The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes has requested a further extension until June 26, the Department of Children has announced.

A new exhibition in UCC has artists responding to the Tuam Babies scandal and the situation at Bessborough, writes Donal O’Keeffe

The investigation into the mother and baby homes was expected to be a journey into history and past practices long since laid to rest.

The bodies of some of the children who died in Mother and Baby Homes were used for anatomical studies.

Children's Minister Katherine Zappone has said the State Commission has found no physical or documentary evidence of systematic burials at Bessborough, but considers that it is highly likely that burials took place there.

The Government has been urged to direct that a full forensic excavation, exhumation, and DNA testing of the remains at the Tuam site be commenced immediately.

Tuam babies campaigner Catherine Corless has hit out at the Government for focusing “on cost” rather than committing to a full forensic excavation, exhumation, and DNA testing of the remains at the Tuam site.

The McAleese inquiry into Magdalene laundries was informed in 2012 about “disturbing” infant death rates in excess of 50% at the Tuam Mother and Baby Home.

People from the town of Tuam have gathered for a vigil at the Mother and Baby Home there in memory of the children whose remains have been discovered at the site.

Gardaí are in the process of preparing an initial report for the government into the mass grave at a former mother-and-baby home in County Galway.