Written Answers Nos. 1-25
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Written Answers Nos. 1-25
10. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of contracts for social work services tendered by her Department; if she will list in table format the details of each company; the value of each contract; the amount being spent by these companies and for what purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6637/14]
View answerI take it that the Deputy's question relates to the work of the new Child and Family Agency as my Department does not procure social work services. The Child and Family Agency, which was established on 1 January, 2014, is continuing to avail of contracts entered into previously by the HSE for the provision of social work services. Contracts are in place with two companies for the provision of agency social work services. One company, CPL Healthcare/Serviscource, provided a locum allied health professionals service under contracts with HSE South and HSE Dublin Mid Leinster and Dublin North East. Another company, TTM Healthcare Ltd, provided locum services under a contract with HSE West.
The contracts were put in place following an open tender process managed by the HSE in 2010. The financial details relating to these contracts covering different services, locations and financial reporting systems are held by the HSE and have been requested by the Child and Family Agency. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
11. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure the continued funding of Rape Crisis Network Ireland as scheduled for the end of March, in view of the essential specialist research and support it provides for rape crisis centres. [5327/14]
View answer21. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that funding will be made available for Rape Crisis Network Ireland, which provides rape crisis centres with vital specialist research and support and whose closure is imminent due to the fact that its current funding is scheduled to be terminated on 31 March 2014. [5328/14]
View answer26. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding funding for Rape Crisis Network Ireland; if it is due to end on 31 March 2014; if she will clarify what the process will then be; if she will indicate the consultation undertaken with those involved in the rape crisis sector; and if she will outline the groups which she has met to date to discuss funding. [5334/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 21 and 26 together.
The Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) is an information and resource centre on rape and all forms of sexual violence. The organisation is the representative body for member Rape Crisis Centres in Ireland that provide free advice, counselling and support for survivors of sexual abuse. The Rape Crisis Centres are separate entities from the Network and they receive public funding independently of the Network. It should be noted that not all Rape Crisis Centres are members of this Network.
The new Child and Family Agency, established on 1st January, 2014 has now assumed responsibility for the funding of Rape Crisis Centres. These services were previously funded by the HSE. In 2013 the HSE spent over €17 million on the provision of domestic and sexual violence services. This included the funding of 60 services throughout the country composed of 20 Crisis Refuges, 16 Rape Crisis Centres and 24 Support Services. Funding of some €4 million was provided to the 16 Rape Crisis Centres.
In the context of significant constraints on public expenditure the emphasis has been on protecting funding for frontline service provision as much as possible and examination of all non-frontline expenditure to ensure this contributes effectively to the needs of those experiencing domestic, sexual or gender based violence. The RCNI received funding of €256,000 from the HSE in 2013. The RCNI financial statements for 2012 indicate that the organisation received total income of over €650,000 including €254,000 from the HSE.
The RCNI had a service level agreement with the HSE which was due to finish on 31st December, 2013. This service level agreement was extended to 31st March, 2014 to allow for the establishment of the Child and Family Agency, the appointment of a Programme Manager for Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence and to enable the Agency to tender for future support services. There has been very high level engagement with the RCNI in recent times as part of a process which is ongoing.
The Programme Manager took up the post on 3rd February and will work with the Head of Procurement in the Child and Family Agency to continue to put arrangements in place to achieve value for money in the delivery of priority national supports related to Rape Crisis Services. It is recognised by the Child and Family Agency that there is a continuing requirement for training support and quality assurance services and the efforts underway will clarify the range and cost of this support within the overall envelope of funds for this sector. The tendering process for future provision of national supports being undertaken by the Child and Family Agency will be open to all qualified providers, including the RCNI.
As has been the case throughout this process senior personnel in Children and Family services and specifically the newly assigned Programme Manager within the Child and Family Agency will remain available to continue engagement with the RCNI. The Child and Family Agency has been clear in stating that there is a continuing need for training and quality assurance supports for the Rape Crisis sector. Accordingly, I believe it is premature to reach conclusions as to the outcome in advance of completion of the process which is underway to put contractual arrangements in place for the future provision of such supports. I would hope that all parties will remain engaged and seek to demonstrate the value and economy of the national support services to be provided from within the total envelope of ring-fenced resources which continues to be made available to the sector.
12. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the recently published Health Information and Quality Authority report on Crannóg Nua at Portrane; the actions she expects will follow on its content and recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6647/14]
View answer13. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the actions that will be taken in 2014 to reduce waiting times for children to obtain places in special care units in circumstances where they have fulfilled the criteria for admission to special care. [6492/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
Children who are unable to live with their parent/s for their welfare and protection are taken into the care of the Child and Family Agency and placed mainly in foster care. For approximately 5% of all children in care, residential care is considered the most suitable option to meet their needs. Less than 1% of children in care with specialised needs are placed in a High Support or Special Care Unit. The Child and Family Agency has informed my Department that it has put in place revised arrangements for the management of cases under consideration for a special care placement to provide a simpler and more child centred approach to managing the prioritisation of special care placements. There are currently no children waiting for a placement in special care.
Crannóg Nua High Support Unit was inspected by HIQA on 1st and 2nd October 2013 and the inspection report published on 9th January 2014. The Child and Family Agency, as part of an ongoing review of services to meet the needs of children in care, are reconfiguring services for children with behavioural difficulties to reflect growing demand. To increase special care capacity, Crannóg Nua will cease providing High Support Services once the current children complete their interventions and move on to their next placements. This closure is expected to take place in May 2014. Crannóg Nua will then be refurbished to bring the standard of facilities to the security level required to provide Special Care Services by the end of January 2015. This development will increase Special Care places on a national basis from seventeen places currently, up to twenty-five by the end of January 2015. With further developments it is expected that the overall number of places will increase to thirty four places by December 2015.
The Agency is committed to designing and developing a comprehensive continuum of care services to meet the divergent and complex needs of all children in care. The Agency has advised me that it is currently undertaking a national review of all residential care and this will be completed during the first quarter of 2014. I am assured that this review will direct planning to ensure that appropriate placements are accessible to children with varying and complex needs. A National Director of Residential Services has been appointed to take the review forward and ensure the strategic development of such services.
14. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of consultation and engagement that has taken place with her Department or its agencies in their consideration thus far of the State's responsibilities to other schoolchildren and former schoolchildren arising from the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6646/14]
View answer23. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide details on the review of current and planned child protection systems; when this review will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6640/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 23 together.
I have been in direct contact with the Minister for Education and Skills on the matter following the recent European Court of Human Rights judgment. The Minister briefed Cabinet on the 4th of February last on the O'Keeffe judgment. Further consideration of this complex judgment is ongoing and I anticipate that there will be further Cabinet briefings in respect of the matter. The Minister has announced his intention to initiate a review of the current and planned child protection systems operating in respect of schools in light of the judgment. Discussions and meetings have been ongoing between officials in both our Departments in advance and following the Cabinet's consideration. I expect that the scope of the Review and how it is to be carried out will be agreed shortly.
This work will build on the existing strong links between our two Departments in respect of the Interdepartmental Group on Children First implementation. The purpose of the Group is to promote the importance of Children First compliance across Government and to ensure consistency of approach. The Group has completed a benchmark phase of establishing structures, mechanisms and activities in place within each sector to support and drive the implementation process. In July 2013 the Government approved the publication of each Departmental Children First Sectoral Implementation Plan on the relevant Department websites. A key priority of the Group is the development of appropriate reporting mechanisms in respect of the implementation of Children First within each sector and the assurance arrangements to monitor implementation and compliance.
It is important to emphasise that there has been significant legal and structural reform changes to improve all of the systems of protection of children in Ireland. In my own area, these include the Children's Referendum, the establishment of the Child and Family Agency, the ongoing implementation of Children First National Guidelines and the development of legislation to put key aspects of Children First on a statutory footing. The enactment of the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information) Act, 2012 and the National Vetting Bureau Act 2012 by my colleague the Minister for Justice are all part of a suite of protective measures which are now enshrined in legislation.
The Deputy will be aware of the progress in relation to the development of legislation to put elements of the Children First National Guidance on a statutory basis. Officials from my Department are continuing to liaise with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel in relation to the drafting of the Bill, which is now at an advanced stage. The Bill is included in the Government's legislative programme for the Spring/Summer session and I expect to submit it to Government in the coming weeks.
16. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress that has been made by her Department and the Adoption Authority of Ireland with regard to accrediting an agency to deal with inter-country adoptions from India; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6649/14]
View answer19. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on progress regarding inter-country adoptions from India; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6648/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 19 together.
The Republic of India has ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. As a contracting state under the Hague Convention, the Adoption Act 2010 provides that adoptions by Irish prospective adoptive parents may be made subject to Irish and Indian requirements being satisfied in line with relevant laws and the provisions of the Hague Convention.
It is a matter for contacting states whether they wish to impose restrictions on whether and how intercountry adoptions of citizens of that State may be effected. In this regard, the Authority advises that there remains a general moratorium by the Indian Central Authority (CARA) on India accepting adoption applications from other countries other than in special circumstances. The Authority has recently received an announcement from CARA that India is currently accepting packs from non-resident Indian prospective adoptive parents for the adoption of Indian children (normal category). This means that India remains closed to non-Indian prospective adoptive parents at this time in respect of its normal categories of children. The Adoption Authority understands that CARA is accepting applications in respect of special needs children, which includes children over five years of age and sibling groups. The Authority is currently attempting to establish from CARA a possible time frame for the acceptance of application packs in the 'normal' category from non-Indian nationals.
The Adoption Authority has advised it is their position that it is necessary to have an Irish registered accredited body to facilitate intercountry adoptions from India in order to safeguard the process for the child and the adoptive parents. The Authority has two applications for India from Irish agencies which are being considered. Any accreditation being considered by the Authority can only apply to the Indian Special Needs Programme at this time. The accreditation of agencies to facilitate adoptions is solely a matter for the Adoption Authority under law. I have raised with the Adoption Authority the likely timescale of reaching conclusions on these applications and I understand it is intended to finalise the process promptly.
Furthermore, the Authority advises that it is the policy of CARA to impose the following age limits and age differentials. Again, they are a matter for the Indian authorities and are not specific to Ireland:
- To adopt a child in the age group of 0-3 years, the maximum composite age of the prospective adoptive parents should be 90 years wherein the individual age of the prospective adoptive parents should not be less than 25 years and not more than 50 years;
- To adopt children above three years of age, the maximum composite age of the PAPs should be 105 years wherein the individual age of the PAPs should not be less than 25 years and not more than 55 years;
- In the case of a single applicant, he or she should not be less than 30 years of age and shall not be above the age of 50 years. The maximum age shall be 45 years to adopt children in the age group of 0-3 years and 50 years for adopting children above 3 years.
Updates in relation to intercountry adoption from India will be posted on the Authority website when available (www.aai.gov.ie).
17. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the main elements of her Department's responsibilities for children and young adults, with particular reference to the extent to which it is intended to provide or make available supportive services in areas most notably in need of such services in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6573/14]
View answerMy Department was established in June 2011 with a mandate to put in place a unified framework of policy, legislation and provision across Government in respect of children and young people. In fulfilling this mandate, my Department engages in a wide range of policy and service activity, both direct and indirect, for children and young people through a number of separate, but inter-related strands including:
- the direct provision of a range of universal and targeted services;
- ensuring high-quality arrangements are in place for focused interventions dealing with child welfare and protection, family support, adoption, school attendance and reducing youth crime;
- the harmonisation of policy and provision across Government and with a wide range of stakeholders to improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
The recent establishment of the Child and Family Agency represents a central pillar of our commitment to support children, young people and their families. It delivers on a key Programme for Government commitment and represents one of the largest and most important public sector reforms undertaken by this Government, bringing together over 4,000 staff and a budget of some €609 million to provide a dedicated focus on services for children & families. The formation of the Agency brought together key services relevant to children and families including child protection and welfare services, and services previously provided by the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board. The Agency is tasked with achieving a new strategic focus, better management and consistency of approach so as to deliver a world-class service model of child welfare and protection. For the first time we have child and family social workers, family support workers, social care workers and education welfare officers all working together to protect children and support families.
I recently announced that an additional nine areas have been selected to enter the design stage of the Area-Based Childhood (ABC) Programme 2013-2016 in line with a key Programme for Government commitment bringing the total number to 13. Three existing projects which participated in the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme (PEIP) in Tallaght, Ballymum and Darndale have already been approved for entry into the ABC Programme and a further project in the Midlands linked to the existing "Preparing for Life" project in Darndale is also included. Its objective is to implement evidence-based prevention and early intervention programmes in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the State with a view to significantly improving outcomes for children. With 50% co-funding from The Atlantic Philanthropies, this brings total funding to nearly €30m over 2013-2016.
Significant investment, totalling more than €260m, is being provided this year by my Department to support childcare programmes. These include the Free Pre-School Year, from which approximately 68,000 children benefit annually. The financial benefit to the parent of a child participating in the free pre-school year is about €2,500 per annum.
Funding of €50.530m including €750,000 for a new capital funding programme, has been provided to my Department in 2014 for the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country through a number of schemes. These schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drug Task Force projects and certain other provisions including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres. This funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth sector.
My Department also works in close partnership with other Government departments, statutory agencies and non-governmental organisations on a range of cross-cutting issues in relation to both policy and provision as they relate to children and young people.
The 2014 Revised Estimate for my Department includes a net allocation of €974 million which represents an increase of €540 million or 124% when compared to the 2013 allocation of €434 million. This increase takes account of the dedicated funding allocated to the Child and Family Agency, and clearly demonstrates the continuing commitment of this Government to the on-going development of quality and effective services to support children and families.
18. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the action she will take to address the lack of information regarding regulation reform, the new inspection process and required standards in view of the fact that preschool services have in effect become part of the new Child and Family Agency registration process from January 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6650/14]
View answerPre-school services are governed by Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991 and by the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 and the Child Care (Prescribed Service) Regulations 2014.
I am in the process of introducing a number of key reforms as part of the Pre-School Quality Agenda with the objective of improving the quality of childcare services. I have outlined to this House and to the Seanad on a number of occasions the proposed reforms and the measures necessary for their implementation. Legislative amendments to Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991 have been passed by the Oireachtas and will underpin the reforms. The objectives are to strengthen the current inspection regime, provide a statutory basis for registration of pre-school services and also provide for the setting of minimum qualification standards for staff working directly with children in pre-school services. To provide for the implementation of the changes to the Act it will be necessary to amend or make additions to the current Regulations in a number of areas, and these are currently being considered.
The new regulations will be accompanied by new National Quality Standards, both of which will form the basis against which services will be inspected by the Early Years Inspectorate of the Child and Family Agency. The Standards will set out the outcomes for quality, and supporting criteria, against which the compliance level of a service will be measured. Inspection under the new regulations and Standards will commence as early as practicable, and following the development of new inspection tools and guidelines. In advance of the introduction of the new regulations, a communications exercise will be undertaken to ensure that childcare services fully understand the impact of the changes to how they will be inspected.
A new system of registration has been introduced and anyone proposing to open a new childcare service must first be registered with the Early Years Inspectorate before they begin to operate. The registration and inspection system will allow Inspectors to specify improvement conditions that a service must comply with. This system will, for the first time, provide for timely and effective regulation and enforcement of standards in pre-school services. Information in relation to the inspection and registration system is available on the Child and Family Agency's website at www.tusla.ie.
I have also indicated my intention to introduce a new requirement that all staff caring for children in an early years service hold a minimum qualification at FETAC Level 5. In addition, the minimum requirement of FETAC Level 5 currently in place for pre-school leaders delivering the Pre-School Year programme, will be increased to Level 6. The new requirements will apply from September 2014 for new services, and from September 2015 for existing services. To support existing childcare workers to obtain the necessary qualifications, my Department is currently finalising arrangements for a new, subsidised training programme which will be implemented in 2014/2015. Funding of €3 million is being allocated to support this initiative, the details of which I expect to announce shortly.
20. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the contact she has made with Facebook regarding Neknominations; the response given, if any; and if she plans further actions regarding same. [6636/14]
View answerThe Government is very concerned generally about the issue of the level of alcohol consumption among young people, but specifically about the recent tragic death involving a young person participating in the 'Neknominations' trend. Both the Taoiseach and I have condemned the craze and called on individuals not to partake or to encourage others to partake in such reckless and life-threatening behaviour.
A member of staff of my Ministerial office was in contact, by both telephone and by email, with the head of Policy in Ireland of Facebook to discuss the matter of 'neknominations' and Facebook has provided me with the following formal response:
"At Facebook we try to be a platform where people can share freely whilst still protecting the rights of others. We do not tolerate content which is directly harmful, for example bullying, but controversial or offensive behaviour is not necessarily against our rules. We encourage people to report things to us which they feel breaks our rules so we can review and take action on a case by case basis. We also give people the ability to remove themselves from an uncomfortable conversation through tools such as untagging and blocking."
Much of this kind of interaction is obviously between adults rather than children. However, as we have unfortunately recently seen, the consequences of this sort of activity for young people can be potentially lethal. What may appear to young people to be a fun thing to do, may in reality be abusive and dangerous drink misuse. It also reflects our cultural attitudes to alcohol in Ireland, which very often do not set the best examples for our children. To counter this culture and the potential consequences it can have for children and young people, both Government and our society generally will need to strengthen its efforts to disseminate information and educational messages about the dangers and possible consequences of these behaviours.
22. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether the current geographic spend on youth services is adequate to provide the same level of service on a countrywide basis; if her attention has been drawn to particular examples where organisations which received funding under the youth service grant scheme concentrate their activities in particular areas of the country and, as a result, funding is unbalanced around the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6642/14]
View answerMy Department administers a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. In 2014, funding of €50.530m including €750,000 for a new capital funding programme has been provided to my Department for these schemes. The schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, under which funding is made available on an annual basis to 31 national and major regional youth organisations, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drug Task Force projects and certain other measures including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres. The funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth sector. There is some 1,400 youth work staff in 477 projects and over 40,000 volunteers involved in the provision of services and activities for young people.
In a context of the very difficult budgetary constraints that have arisen in recent years there have been no applications for the funding of new projects sought under the schemes since 2008. In the determination of the annual allocations for the schemes, my Department, while seeking to meet the savings requirements under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure, has sought to ensure that the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are maintained and protected, as far as is possible, from the impact of the necessary reductions in funding.
I am aware of the challenges that youth organisations face in their efforts to maintain and develop their services to respond to the needs of young people in different parts of the country. I, and officials of my Department regularly meet with youth organisations and youth projects from different areas. Officials of my Department engage, on an ongoing basis, with youth sector organisations on matters to do with ensuring the availability of quality services to meet young people's needs, the challenges that youth organisations encounter in responding to new demands on their services and in managing the budgets available to them over the year.
My Department is undertaking a comprehensive Value for Money and Policy Review of youth work funding schemes that support the provision of services to disadvantaged young people. The review will consider the rationale and objectives of the current youth programmes. It will, inter alia, examine the extent to which the youth funding programme objectives have been achieved, comment on the effectiveness and the efficiency of the programmes and their compatibility with the overall strategy of my Department. The review will make recommendations for the future operation of the youth programmes. Its findings will shape their development in the years ahead to ensure quality, effective, value-for-money services that secure the best outcomes for young people. Work is well advanced and it is anticipated that the review will be completed in the coming months.
The review's recommendations will further inform the development of a new youth strategy, planned by my Department for later this year. The youth strategy will aim to bring about improved co-ordination between Government departments and youth sector organisations with a view to maximising the effectiveness of the State funding available to support services for young people throughout the country.
24. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the Children First legislation will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6654/14]
View answerIn July 2013, the Government approved the revised Heads and General Scheme of the Children First Bill, which will put elements of the Children First National Guidance on a statutory footing. Officials from my Department are continuing to liaise with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel in relation to the drafting of the Bill, which is now at an advanced stage. The Bill is included in the Government's legislative programme for the Spring/Summer session and I expect to submit it to Government shortly.
25. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the undeniable evidence, in writing, that religious run adoption agencies participated in and facilitated illegal adoptions, the reason neither her Department nor the Adoption Authority of Ireland has carried out an audit of every adoption record held in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6523/14]
View answerI wish to take this opportunity to advise the House of the historic position regarding adoption in Ireland. The Adoption Act 1952 placed adoption on a regulatory footing in Ireland and all adoptions that have taken place since then should, in accordance with the law, have been in compliance with that Act. I am advised by the Adoption Authority of Ireland that 44,042 adoptions took place in Ireland between 1953 and 2012. While records exist in relation these adoptions these records may not be as expansive as current day practices would envisage. I am also aware that some of the arrangements which were put in place were not within the provisions of the adoption legislation leaving people assuming they were adopted, when they in fact were not, or that their births were the subject of illegal registrations.
I have been anxious to see improvements in existing procedures for the tracing of birth parents by people who have been adopted. The Child and Family Agency, which was established on 1st January last, has advised me that, in the first instance, any person seeking information on adoption should contact the Adoption Authority of Ireland or the Agency's Community Services who will assist in directing them to the personnel dealing with their particular records. The existing arrangements for those seeking access to information reflect a transition from complex and historical situations and I am anxious that the Agency implement much more improved and consistent arrangements. I have been advised by the Agency that it is reorganising adoption services in 2014 at a national level, and will consider how best to deploy its staff to deal with this important issue so as to facilitate access to records where they exist.
The Adoption Act 2010, requirement that agencies providing Information and Tracing services would gain accreditation resulted in a number of religious orders deciding not to apply for accreditation and transferring records from their Mother and Baby Homes and Adoption Societies to the Agency. In the case of the Sacred Heart Adoption Society, for example, some 25,000 records have been transferred to the Agency's Regional Adoption Service in Cork. Work by the Agency on the organising and storage of these records has taken place. The advice of the National Archives has been sought in relation to the proper storage of these records that are of great significance. I have raised the importance of arrangements for the management of these records directly with the Child and Family Agency and I have also asked my officials to examine the work that could be undertaken with the Child and Family Agency, the Adoption Authority and other stakeholders to improve arrangements for managing and accessing the records that are available.
I have highlighted previously in the house the Constitutional and legal barriers to providing access to Adoption records without the consent of the birth mother. The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill will address this matter but the legislature will be constrained in the nature of any access which can be granted to adoption records by these legal considerations. In this context, I would urge birth mothers to enrol on the National Adoption Contact Preference Register which was established in 2005 to assist adopted people and their natural families to make contact with each other, exchange information or state their contact preferences. They decide, through a range of information and contact options, how they wish to proceed.
The Adoption Authority of Ireland has responsibility for the operation of the Contact Preference Register. I believe there is an opportunity in the context of the considerable public attention this area is receiving to promote awareness amongst women whose children were adopted of the importance of registering their consent if contact is to be successfully re-established.
