Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 June 2018
511. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to set down the estimated number of improper adoption arrangements by religious bodies, nursing homes and other bodies in which no detailed records were ever kept; her views on the prevalence of this practice in the past; the number of persons affected; the steps that have been taken to contact those affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27770/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraClear evidence of illegal registrations has been recently identified in respect of 126 St Patrick’s Guild files and arrangements have been put in place to contact those individuals and support them through the process.
It is, of course, a concern that there may be many more cases of illegal registrations and it is for that reason that I have appointed an Independent Reviewer, Marion Reynolds, former Deputy Director of Social Services in Northern Ireland, to oversee an analysis of relevant records. I expect a report of this analysis within four months of this work being commenced. At that stage, I will be in position, on the basis of the report's findings, to decide on next steps.
This analysis can only be applied to those records currently within the custody of the State. In relation to the remaining estimated 50,000 records that are not in the custody of either Tusla or the Adoption Authority, the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 provides for the transfer of these records to the custody of the Adoption Authority. This will facilitate any necessary review of these records.
