Robert Troy
Question:960. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to outline her plans to amend the Adoption Act 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13578/14]
View answerTuesday, 25 March 2014
Questions (960)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, work has been underway for some time on the Adoption (Information and Tracing) legislation. I intend to proceed to finalise legislative proposals on a revised basis at the earliest opportunity and will bring proposals to the Government as soon as possible.
As well as the information and tracing legislation, I am conscious that issues have arisen in relation to the operation of the Adoption Act, 2010, since its enactment. There are a number of general policy questions around the nature of our adoption regime and I consider it timely to consider a review of adoption. Given the range and complexity of the issues this will require scoping and preliminary examination after which decisions will be made on the extent and time scale for the review to see if proposals for legislative change emerge from this review or the nature of such proposals. Based upon the many domestic and international legal aspects to adoption the issue of further legislative development will certainly be considered. This review will inform future operational and legislative considerations regarding the Adoption Act, 2010. For the present, however, my legislative priority in the area of adoption is the preparation of information and tracing legislation. In addition, my Department is also working closely with the Department of Justice, Equality and Defence on the draft Children and Family Relationships Bill, which it is proposed will contain measures in relation to adoption by civil partners.