The Government will today consider the 'next steps' for the site, where it is believed hundreds of dead babies were buried by nuns between 1925 and 1961.

Among the decisions to be taken in the coming months is whether officials believe it will be possible to ID any of the remains.

Children's Minister Katherine Zappone will update the Cabinet on developments at the site since it was revealed in March that "significant quantities" of human remains were found.

Ms Zappone's office declined to comment ahead of her Cabinet briefing, but it is understood she will tell colleagues decisions need to be taken quickly.

She wants to set up an inter-departmental group to focus on sourcing technical expertise from within the State and abroad.

This group will look at the best international practice in the event that a decision is taken for a full excavation.

As part of this it will seek advice over what it would involve if the State was to try to identify the remains buried at the site. Depending on the final number of babies, this could be a huge undertaking.

Experts will also be asked to advise on the best way of protecting the human remains while work is carried out at the site.

In March, it was revealed that a commission set up to investigate mother and baby homes had carried out exploratory works in Tuam.

Amateur historian Catherine Corless had claimed close to 800 babies could be buried on the site.