Vol. 548 No. 5
264 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the assistance he will give to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford in the matter of re-establishing contact with this person's birth mother; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5495/02]
As the Deputy will be aware, it is not the policy of my Department to comment publicly on individual cases. I have been in contact with the South-Eastern Health Board and it has assured me it is dealing with this case.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government approved the draft heads of the Adoption Information, Post Adoption Contact and Associated Issues Bill in May of last year. A wide consultation process involving adopted people, birth parents, adoptive parents and people working in adoption, especially tracing and reunion, was undertaken in the course of the drafting of the legislative proposals. The legislative proposals give information rights, including access to birth certificates and personal information for adopted people.
I have recently provided funding of €25,000 to both the Natural Parents Network of Ireland and the Adopted People's Association to assist in the provision of adoption support services. A State-funded tracing and reunion service will be provided both by the health boards and agencies many of whom already have expertise in this area. I will be ensuring that adequate structures and resources are in place to provide this service in an appropriate and timely manner. The Heads of the Bill are currently with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for the drafting of the legislation.
