Mother and Baby Homes: Timeline

Key dates in the inquiry's progress, assembled from its recorded milestones and hearing phases.

Hearing-phase dates are taken from the published hearing days; some earlier milestone dates are approximate where the inquiry has not published an exact date.

Milestones & hearing phases

Milestone Hearing phase Reports & costs Still to come
1 Oct 2021
Co-design panel reports
A co-design panel considering how an investigation and redress scheme should work reported to the Northern Ireland Executive.
30 Nov 2021
Executive agrees to an investigation
The Northern Ireland Executive agreed to establish an investigation into mother and baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses.
1 Apr 2023
Independent Panel appointed
An Independent Panel was appointed to lead the non-statutory investigation, ahead of a planned statutory Phase 2 public inquiry.
22 May 2024
Independent Panel interim report
The Independent Panel published its interim report.
16 Jun 2025
Redress Bill introduced
The Inquiry and Redress Scheme Bill, providing for a statutory Phase 2 public inquiry, was introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
30 Jun 2026
Bill passes Final Stage
The Inquiry and Redress Scheme Bill passed its Final Stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
6 Jul 2026
Independent Panel publishes final report
The Independent Panel, the non-statutory precursor investigation distinct from the planned statutory Phase 2 inquiry, published its final report, with recommendations addressed to the Executive rather than to this inquiry.
To be confirmed
Final report (to be confirmed)
The inquiry has not yet reported.