Vol. 500 No. 4
240 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide information to parents with adopted children of any hereditary health problems that are known to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter in relation to adopted children. [4197/99]
The child care legislation unit in my Department is currently preparing legislation in the area of post-adoption contact and associated issues, including access to birth information. There are several very complex legal issues to be considered in the context of legislating for this area. An extensive consultation process will be entered into in due course with all interested parties and support groups, including adoptive parents. The aim of the consultation process is to secure an inclusive and well informed approach to the preparation of legislation in this area.
However, I understand that it is unlikely that adoption records would contain any information on hereditary health problems.
