The bodies of 474 babies who died in mother and baby homes and hospitals were used for research and training in Irish medical schools over a 25-year period, it has emerged.

The 'unclaimed' infant remains were transferred from homes to four university medical schools between 1940 and 1965, the Irish Independent has reported.

The remains were transferred for the study of the anatomy and structure of the human body to UCD, TCD, Royal College of Surgeons and NUI Galway medical schools, with remains transferred to the latter institution from local hospitals rather than homes.

The practice of using infant remains for research has been discontinued, but it is likely to form part of the planned commission of inquiry into the mother and infant homes. The inquiry is also expected to look into the practice of including children in mother and baby homes in vaccine trials.