Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 June 2022
173. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 24 March 2022, the status of the promised payment scheme to make once-off payments of €3,000 to persons affected by illegal birth registration in the files of an institution (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28514/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2021, following publication of the Independent Review into Illegal Birth Registration, I asked Professor Conor O’Mahony, the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, to consider the significant complexities and challenges which arise in relation to the issue of illegal birth registrations, and to provide a report proposing an appropriate course of action. On 14th March 2022 I published the report which sets out 17 numbered recommendations.
Recommendation 16 of the report by the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection was that provision should be made to cover legal costs associated with a declaration of parentage of persons affected by illegal birth registrations. In response, the Government approved a once-off payment of €3,000 for the individuals whose illegal birth registration has been confirmed by Tusla from the files of St. Patrick’s Guild.
This once-off payment of €3,000 is intended as contribution towards costs such as creating or amending wills or seeking a declaration of parentage. While it could also be used for DNA testing, Tusla has covered the costs of DNA testing for individuals in cases where records were insufficient to confirm an illegal birth registration and will continue to provide this support.
The development of this scheme is at an advanced stage with a view to implementation as soon as possible in 2022.
