Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 November 2011
226 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reasons for the delays in adopted persons being granted access to their files relating to Seán Ross Abbey which are being held by the Health Services Executive in St. Stephen’s Hospital, Glanmire, County Cork; if appropriate measures will be implemented to shorten these delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34916/11]
View answer227 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reasons for the delays in adopted persons being granted access to their medical files relating to Seán Ross Abbey, which are being held by the Health Services Executive in St. Stephen’s Hospital, Glanmire, Cork; if appropriate measures will be implemented to shorten these delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34917/11]
View answer228 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she has taken to ensure appropriate access and supports are in place for those adopted persons wishing to access their personal files, including medical files, relating to Bessborough Centre, County Cork which are being held by the Health Services Executive in St. Stephen’s Hospital, Glanmire, Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34918/11]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 226 to 228, inclusive, together. Following talks with the HSE, the Sacred Heart Order and officials from my Department, the HSE agreed to take responsibility for the adoption files of the Sacred Heart Adoption Society for homes in Bessborough, Co. Cork, St Peter's, Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath and Sean Ross Abbey, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.
I have been advised by the Office of the National Director, Children & Family Services HSE that the files have now been transferred to the HSE in their entirety. The HSE inform me that a system has been put in place to manage queries from clients, i.e. children born in the Sacred Heart Homes (now adults) and birth mothers. Queries are being dealt with in the HSE Regional Adoption Department in order that enquirers can be offered a meeting with a social worker/counsellor to deal with requests as promptly as possible. The HSE has already commenced responding to individual queries and encourages anyone seeking their personal data to communicate directly with the HSE South Adoption Unit, St Stephen's Hospital, Glanmire, Co.Cork (tel. 021 4858650).
