Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1265. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the operation of the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022; the number of entries made to the contact preferences register; the number of tracing applications made; and the number of applications for records made. [17632/23]
View answerThe Birth Information and Tracing Act was signed into law on 30th June 2022, all services established under the Act are open to applications since 3rd October.
As of Monday 3rd April a total of 7,649 applications for information have been received by he Child and Family Agency, Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), with over half of that total being received within two weeks of commencement.
These applications are in addition to the 3,561 applications made to Tusla for tracing services since 3rd October.
As of Monday 3rd April, the two agencies have processed and completed 3,182 requests for information, with more due for completion and issue each day.
In addition to Information and Tracing services, applications are continuing to be made to the Contact Preference Register (CPR). Since opening on 1st July, 3,121 new preferences have been registered to the Contact Preference Register held by the AAI. The AAI has successfully identified 215 matches for relatives for whom they are facilitating contact. A total of 66 pairs of relatives have been placed in contact as a result of matches and AAI facilitation. Furthermore , 61 items (letters, pictures, etc.) are have been registered through the CPR by relatives seeking to share them with family members and are being held by the AAI in case of a match.
