Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
515. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the scheme to compensate those affected by illegal birth registrations is limited to one institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16661/22]
View answerIn March 2021, following publication of the Independent Review into Illegal Birth Registration, I asked Professor Conor O’Mahony, the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, to consider the significant complexities and challenges which arise in relation to the issue of illegal birth registrations, and to provide a report proposing an appropriate course of action. On 14th March 2022 I published the report which sets out 17 numbered recommendations.
Recommendation 16 of the report by the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection was that provision should be made to cover legal costs associated with a declaration of parentage of persons affected by illegal birth registrations. In response, the Government approved a once-off payment of €3,000 for the individuals whose illegal birth registration has been confirmed by Tusla from the files of St. Patrick’s Guild.
This once-off payment of €3,000 is intended as contribution towards costs such as creating or amending wills or seeking a declaration of parentage. While it could also be used for DNA testing, Tusla has covered the costs of DNA testing for individuals in cases where records were insufficient to confirm an illegal birth registration and will continue to provide this support.
Tusla already hold confirmation of illegal birth registrations from the files of St. Patrick’s Guild that can form the basis for a payment to the individuals affected without any need to bring forward evidence and meet a certain burden of proof. There may be potential to extend the payment to other confirmed cases after the Birth Information and Tracing Bill has provided access to records and people with suspicions are, therefore, able to access evidence necessary to confirm illegal birth registration and effect a change in the birth register.
