Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 September 2018
23. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the methodology of the scoping exercise into illegal birth registrations, illegal adoptions and other irregularities at mother and baby homes including the number of files and homes that will be included in the exercise; and when it is due to be completed. [37907/18]
View answerI have asked an Independent Reviewer, Ms Marion Reynolds to oversee a further analysis of relevant records held by Tusla and the Adoption Authority in the first instance.
The purpose of the exercise is to see if clear evidence of illegal registrations is evident in other records. The first meeting between Ms. Reynolds and the nominated representatives from Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland took place in mid- June and I was expecting the final report within four months, i.e. by mid-October. However I have recently been advised that due to the complexity of the review, and in particular, issues arising in relation to data protection and the GDPR, it will be mid-December before Ms Reynolds will be in a position to provide me with the final report. I expect that details in relation to the methodology used in the review and the records reviewed, will be set out in that report.
The selection of records for examination will be agreed with the assistance of a statistician and the methodology overseen by Ms Reynolds.
Given the volume of records involved, in my view, we must first judge the likely incidence of cases that can actually be identified, through this analysis. I will then be in a position to judge the next steps which may be required.
The analysis of records can only be applied to those records which are currently in the custody of the State, i.e. to those records that are in the possession of either Tusla or the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
The work of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes will also be important in dealing with a range of other adoption related matters.
It is examining adoption practices in the cases of mothers and children who were resident in the institutions, within its terms of reference. The Commission is also required to examine the interaction of Mother and Baby Homes with other institutions, organisations and individuals who had involvement with children from these institutions.
For example, the Commission is examining the practices and policies within adoption societies involved in the placement of children from these institutions. This will provide an important insight into any potential irregularities involved.
I believe that the further analysis of records which has commenced, together with the ongoing work of the Commission, will be extremely important in helping us shape any further steps to be taken.
