A national centre to honour those who were resident in mother-and-baby homes, industrial schools, reformatories, Magdalene Laundries and related institutions has been approved by the Government.
The announcement was made in a statement by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman.
The National Centre for Research and Remembrance will be located on the site of the former Magdalene Laundry in Sean McDermott St in Dublin city centre.
It will include a museum and exhibition space, the development of which will be led by the National Museum of Ireland.
A research centre and repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century which will form part of the National Archives, and a place for reflection and remembrance.
The site will also include social housing, local community facilities, and an educational and early learning facility.
While physically situated in Dublin, Minister O’Gorman said the Centre will be accessible for all survivors, whether in other parts of Ireland or abroad.
It will also provide digital access to records and exhibits, as well as developing physical presences elsewhere to enable survivors to visit more easily.
Its establishment will involve formal consultation with survivor representatives and local community representatives, and the establishment of a Steering Group chaired by the current Secretary General to the Government, who will continue to chair this Group following the end of his term.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he welcomes today's announcement, describing it as "very positive news".
Speaking in the Dáil, Mr Martin also said the project will involve social housing.
He was responding to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou MacDonald, who also welcomed the news and said it is "essential that we get it right".
She said there must be a "collaborative approach" to the project, adding that it is of international significance.
