The Irish government have approved the action.
The site of the Tuam Mother and Baby home will be excavated, as per the announcement on Tuesday afternoon.
Last year, "significant quantities" of human remains were discovered at the site of the former mother and baby home in Co. Galway.
At the time, Paul Redmond, chairperson of the Coalition of Mother and Baby home Survivors, said that he expects the commission of investigation to ascertain that between 7,000 and 8,000 babies died in homes in Ireland from the 1920s up until the 60s.
It was announced on Tuesday afternoon (via
RTE News) by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone said she "understands that this is a hugely important decision for all connected to the site in Tuam, most especially those who believe they may have a loved one buried there and those now living close to the site".
The Tuam Babies family group responded to the news with the following statement: "This is an exceptionally important decision and will pave the way for all the other mother and baby homes, and the lost children of Ireland.
"We want all of the children found, if they are not in the grave, where are they? All of the children must be found and we would like to see a full excavation of the entire site as we believe there are many graves in the area, not just at the site we have all come to know."
