Extent of Child Deaths in Dublin Home Revealed

By Pamela Duncan
Irish Times
June 21, 2014

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/extent-of-child-deaths-in-dublin-home-revealed-1.1840247

Pelletstown, on the Navan Road in Dublin. Between 1924 and 1930, a total of 662 children died at the institution, an average of over 94 deaths a year.

The department of local government and public health’s 1930 report on the mother and baby home in Pelletstown in Dublin was upbeat in its assessment: “The health of the institution was excellent during the year. The death rate fell considerably.”

Despite the mortality rate of over 19 per cent, 1930 did signify an improvement on previous years, according to government documents accessible at the National Library.

“The fall in the death rate is attributed to the improved accommodation, better milk supply and better nursing,” the annual report notes.