Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
1119. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress to date of the DNA working group established to consider the potential role of DNA in the context of the provision of the statutory tracing service under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11869/24]
View answer1121. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps his Department has taken to inform adoptees and mother and baby home survivors of any potential role for DNA technologies in tracing birth information, given the diverse levels of technological literacy across society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11871/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1119 and 1121 together.
As the Deputy is aware, following agreement by the Birth Information and Tracing Act Implementation Group, a DNA Working Group was established in March 2023. The Group, which comprises of representation from my Department, the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) and the Child and Family Agency, Tusla has been tasked with considering approaches and practices in respect of the use of DNA technology for the purposes of Adoption/Birth Information and Tracing Services, as well as the legal and technical challenges which exist in that regard, and to assess whether these approaches and practices could complement the delivery of Birth Information and Tracing Services.
The Working Group is currently in the process of concluding its work and I expect to receive a report on its considerations and findings in early Q2 2024 at which point I will consider appropriate next steps.
