New health and well-being measures are being planned for former residents of mother and baby homes.

The package is set to include 'practical measures' such as access to GP services, counselling and mental health supports.

The proposals were put forward by a forum of former residents, and will be brought to Government for approval in September.

The Children's Minister Katherine Zappone says she is also open to an annual day of commemoration.

Minister Zappone explained: "We now have the considered views of those most affected by our history in this area.

"I am committed to moving forward, and I believe we can make real progress with the initiatives I am announcing today."

She added: "Any of the recommendations that we're not directly responding to now or putting in place a process to do so... I'm sending them off to the relevant departments to discuss.

"Today I'm identifying some some of the most important - in my view - concrete actions that we are looking to start now."

She added that it's hoped that analysis of all the recommendations will be completed within two months.

The collaborative forum was set up in 2018, and consists of former residents of mother and baby homes alongside advocates and academics.

It is 'independent of and separate to' the working being carried out by the ongoing Commission of Investigation into mother and baby homes.

The commission is due to report to the Children's Minister next February.