Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
1175. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Adoption Authority of Ireland audit or the National Adoption Contact Register will identify the likely number of persons affected by false birth registration; the years covered by this analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36978/18]
View answerI take it that the Deputy is referring to the review of adoption records that I requested be undertaken, in the first instance, to establish whether there is sufficient reliable evidence of the practice of incorrect registration that can be extracted from the records of adoption agencies.
This Review is not an audit of the National Adoption Contact Register. It is a targeted sampling exercise of adoption records within the custody of the State, i.e. with the AAI and Tusla.
The terms of reference of the review have been published on the website of my Department, and the report will be submitted to me by mid October.
It is impossible to say, at present, whether the review report will identify the likely number of persons affected by false birth registrations. The report will relate to the sample reviewed, and the findings of the report will assist me to make a decision about the necessary next steps.
