Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
762. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Adoption Authority is currently in a position to respond to applications for information under the Birth (Information and Tracing) Act 2022 within 30 days; and if not, the reason for same. [54739/22]
View answer763. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Tusla is currently in a position to respond to applications for information under the Birth (Information and Tracing) Act 2022 within 30 days; and if not, the reason for same. [54740/22]
View answer764. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional resources that have been put in place to ensure that the Adoption Authority and Tusla are in a position to respond to applications for information under the Birth (Information and Tracing) Act 2022 within 30 days. [54741/22]
View answer779. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Adoption Authority is currently in a position to respond to applications for information under the Birth (Information and Tracing) Act 2022 within 30 days. [55153/22]
View answer780. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Tusla is currently in a position to respond to applications for information under the Birth (Information and Tracing) Act 2022 within 30 days. [55154/22]
View answer781. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional resources that have been put in place to ensure that the Adoption Authority and Tusla are in a position to respond to applications for information under the Birth (Information and Tracing) Act 2022 within 30 days. [55155/22]
View answer785. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans to address the delays in releasing informing under a service (details supplied); if more staff will be provided to this service to address the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55274/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 762 to 764, inclusive, 779 to 781, inclusive, and 785 together.
As Minister I am mindful of the resource implications that come with the implementation of the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022. Accordingly, in order to facilitate information and tracing services to affected persons, additional funding was provided to the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
An additional €1.05m was provided to the Adoption Authority of Ireland and additional funding of €3m was provided to Tusla Adoption Services. These additional resources were to fund additional posts, including genealogical and archival expertise and support, for the new information and tracing services. They were also used to run a public information campaign on the legislation.
Overall, both agencies are experiencing a very high level of interest in the provisions of the new Act, having received almost 7,000 applications from people seeking their birth and early life information and to trace a relative since the new services launched on 3rd October 2022.
As of Tuesday 01 November, the two agencies have processed and issued over 100 requests for information, with more due for completion and issue each day.
In addition to applications for Information and Tracing services, applications are continuing to be made to the Contact Preference Register, and the Adoption Authority of Ireland has successfully identified 154 matches for relatives for whom they are facilitating contact and reunion.
The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 requires that information be released within 30 days of receipt of a completed application or, where the search for and gathering of records is more involved, within 90 days.
I am acutely aware of the disappointment that delays may cause and wish to assure people that both agencies are doing their utmost to respond to all the applications received within the shortest timeframe.
I am assured that the AAI and Tusla will continue to engage with any person who is waiting for information to keep them informed on the status of their application.
