Thomas P. Broughan
Question:314 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of adopted people and birth parents who are on health board waiting lists for post adoption services. [18736/98]
Written Answers. - Adoption Services.
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:317 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to amend adoption legislation to provide adopted people with easier access to their original birth certificates which is the norm throughout the rest of the British Isles including Northern Ireland as recommended by the Adoption Board in its annual reports over the past number of years. [18754/98]
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:324 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to instruct the Adoption Board to obtain, for storage and safe keeping, certified copies of all files relating to adoption from all the registered adoption societies as provided by the Adoption Act, 1952. [18769/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 314, 317 and 324 together.
The information requested by Deputy Broughan in relation to the number of adopted people and birth parents who are on health board waiting lists for post adoption services will be obtained in due course by the child care legislation unit as part of the research being carried out on the provision of post adoption services and associated issues. I will make the information available to the Deputy when it has been obtained from the health boards.
As I have previously explained to the House, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in a case earlier this year which clarified a number of constitutional and legal matters surrounding post-adoption contact. Specific staff in the newly established child care legislation unit have been assigned to the preparation of legislation in this area. These staff have been familiarising themselves with the issues involved in this complex area and the Office of the Attorney General has also been consulted in the matter.
I am pleased to advise Deputy O'Sullivan that the child care legislation unit will be in a position to enter into an extensive consultation process with all interested parties in the coming weeks. The aim of the consultation process is to facilitate an inclusive and well informed approach to the preparation of legislation in this area. I also intend to hold a one day seminar to give all of those who are involved in the consultation process an opportunity to come together and consider the outcome of the discussions. I will be listening carefully to all views before finalising my proposals so that this issue can be dealt with in a coherent, integrated and sensitive manner.
With regard to Deputy Broughan's question on files relating to adoption, the Adoption Board has a file in relation to each application received since its establishment in 1952. These files are held in a secure place for safe keeping. I have no plans to instruct the Adoption Board to obtain and store certified copies of files relating to adoption which are currently held by adoption societies. This issue will be examined in due course in the context of the work being undertaken on post adoption services and associated issues.