Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2017
75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps being taken to address access to adoption records for persons that spent time in mother and baby homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50187/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdoption information and tracing services are currently provided on an administrative basis by Tusla, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and by bodies that have been accredited by the Authority under the Adoption Act 2010, depending on who holds the records in question. I am aware that some people are trying to find out if and when they were in a particular mother and baby home irrespective of an adoption having taken place. My Department has engaged with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, on this issue and the Agency has the resources to help former residents get access to relevant information.
The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 provides for the first time a statutory entitlement to identity information for adopted persons. It provides for a structured and regulated access to information and tracing services for those affected by adoption. It sets out the information that can be provided and the circumstances in which it can be provided to adopted persons and provides that services will be provided by Tusla. A key provision in the Bill provides that an adopted person aged 18 years or over who was adopted prior to commencement of the Bill will be provided with the information required to apply for his or her birth certificate, subject to certain conditions. The Bill also provides for access to relevant records containing the information concerned that are held by the Authority. The Bill passed Second Stage in Seanad Eireann in May 2017 and will proceed to Committee Stage in the Seanad as soon as possible.
