Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
162. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are sufficient staff involved in the online operation of the information and tracing services under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 at birthinfo.ie; his views on persons claiming to have been dealt with abruptly after contacting Tusla by phone due to issues with the online system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50743/22]
View answerAs Minister, I am mindful of the resource requirements that come with the implementation of services provided for under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022. Accordingly, I allocated additional resources to the Adoption Authority of Ireland and to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in 2022 to fund additional posts, including genealogical and archival expertise and support, to meet estimated demand on the new information and tracing services.
Robust recruitment campaigns were undertaken by the Adoption Authority and Tusla respectively on the basis of this additional funding. While recognising the initial surge of demand for these new services, I am satisfied that there is sufficient staffing in place to support their delivery.
As the latter part of the Deputy’s question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
