Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2016
533. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the legal advice he has been given regarding the legacy debt issues relating to refundable registration fees paid by clients to Arc Adoption agency, when he will reach a conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1245/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, I am not in a position to outline in detail the legal advice that I have received. However, I am advised that my Department has no legal responsibility for repayment of these fees. Arc Adoption is a company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital and operates on a “not-for-profit basis”. These fees were paid as part of an agreement between Arc Adoption and its clients and my Department was not party to this agreement.
I am aware that there is an issue regarding the repayment to clients of refundable registration fees they are owed by Arc Adoption and I gave a commitment to examine the issue. This is a complex matter which I am currently considering.
