My Department retains over 2,200 files relating to passport applications for children sent abroad for adoption between the late 1940s and the early 1970s. These files are not a comprehensive record of all children sent abroad for adoption.
It is not possible to provide an exact number of persons for which records are held as, in cases where more than one child was adopted by the same family, a single file may contain records relating to two or more children. While the files themselves are held in the National Archives, the Consular Division of my Department maintains a database recording the files held.
My Department frequently receives requests for access to these files from the people involved including the individuals themselves, their birth mothers and sometimes other family members. We release as much information as we can in line with current legal advice in respect of confidentiality requirements in such cases, and we keep this legal advice under review.
Consular Division liaises closely with both the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on this issue and both organisations are aware of the records we hold.
My Department has not received any requests for access to these records as part of an inquiry into mother and baby homes. If requested, my Department will be happy to cooperate with the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, when it is established.
