Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

The Deputy quoted a figure of thousands pre-1952, but we must be careful of the numbers involved. The Adoption Board had 99 people coming forward who believed they were adopted, yet records could not be found. While that is the number of people who have come forward, I take the point that there may well be others who have not made themselves known to the Adoption Authority. Some 50% of those were pre-1952, while the other half were post-1952.

I want to assure the Deputy that the Adoption Act 2010 provides for the safeguarding of records and files held by each accredited body. In addition, each accredited body shall record and preserve all information supplied which relates to the child, including family and medical histories.

Adoption records held by all the former adoption societies which have not sought registration under the Adoption Act 2010 are in the process of being transferred to an accredited body or the HSE in order to provide for their safeguarding in accordance with the provisions of the Act. I do not know if that is the situation that applies to the particular case mentioned by the Deputy. If it could be helpful, I would be happy to respond to a particular case if the Deputy wishes to bring it to my attention. Many records of private institutions which did not seek to be re-registered, will be transferred, kept in a safe place and will be accessible. The HSE has been co-operating fully with all such requests for the transfer of records. The Adoption Authority has oversight of those matters.

There is a separate question of illegal birth registration, which is a different subject.

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