Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. McBride. One or two of my questions have already been asked. It is important we centralise information on adoptees, particularly in light of the possibility raised by Senator van Turnhout of some bodies being unwilling to hand over information. Once information is transferred, it is important it is held together and that people have easy access to it without being sent from one end of the country to the other.

I am aware of an issue with health records from a few people I know who are adopted. It is not just about them but about their children and grandchildren as well. It is difficult to know who they are. Finding medical records can be difficult for people who are trying to trace certain hereditary illnesses when doctors say that is why their children are sick. They have no way of finding out the details. The adoptee might need to know whether either of his or her parents had the same health issue. Is there a way to bring this information together? This is a significant issue for all of us who have children. We should know their health backgrounds, including mental health, so that we might know whether something might have been passed on.

Deputy McLellan asked my next question on social workers. Mr. McBride stated that the agency had 62.64. Is that the agency's full complement? Is there room for more? If so, is funding a difficulty or is the problem getting the proper people? Social work is essential.

I am unsure about Tusla's December 2014 figure of 1,042 applicants on the waiting list for services, which was reduced to 864 in 2015. If my figures are right, only 178 were dealt with in that time. The other numbers mentioned throw me altogether, so the witnesses might dwell on them.

I know many people who are adopted and have since adopted children. Seeing people reunite on television after generations is touching. All they want to know is who they are. I watched an amazing programme the other night - I cannot remember on which station - about family members from North Korea and South Korea meeting for the first time after being separated. Their window of opportunity to meet their families was just six hours before they had to return to their quarters. Many adoptees in Ireland do not even have that window to meet those they lost during the adoption transition. Anything we can do to alleviate their longing and fears about who they are and why certain aspects of their lives do not fit into place would be important.