Issues in relation to the accreditation of agencies providing adoption services is a matter for the Adoption Authority. Section 130 of the Adoption Act, 2010, contains provisions in relation to the Authority's ability to cancel a registration of an accredited body.
The Adoption Authority advises that in June of this year St. Patrick's Guild informed the Authority it intends to withdraw from the provision of its Information and Tracing Service. A period of 12 - 18 months notice was given to allow for plans to be put in place for a transfer of the information and tracing service. St. Patrick's Guild also notified the Health Service Executive of this decision and has entered into discussion with them about arrangements for the future. The consultation process between the Adoption Authority and the HSE in relation to the transfer of the service and arrangements for the future is ongoing. As further information becomes available it will be posted on the Authority website (www.aai.gov.ie).
At the present time St Patrick’s Guild are working with enquiries received up to and including April 2013. It is planned to keep the waiting list open until the end of November 2013 and to continue working with all written requests and enquiries until the end of June 2014. Progress going forward will be kept under review and all persons concerned will be informed as to the steps taken in respect of their enquiries, and also about the future plans of the agency. Inquiries received after the date given above will be noted and listed and, in due course, will be transferred to the agency that is appointed to receive them.