Results 1-20 of 31 for other and baby speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Investigation (17 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters is the only Commission of Investigation established under the aegis of my Department. It was established by Government on 17 February 2015 (S.I. No. 57 of 2015) and is due to submit its three reports by February 2018. The costs associated with the Commission are met from my Department's Vote. Since...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Border Controls (7 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will deal first with the Deputy's second point. Ireland has never voiced opposition to search and rescue missions at European Union level, nor was I or any other Minister ever advised to do so. Internal briefing pointed to one of the unintended consequences of such operations, namely, the risk of more smuggling activity in even more dangerous and unseaworthy vessels. There was no...

Other Questions: Residential Institutions (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have discussed this issue before. My Department and the women working to provide the service have taken every care to ensure all of the women applying for compensation have been dealt with carefully and as well as possible. I want to make a number of points. The Government made its decision, based on the recommendations of Mr. Justice Quirke, to establish an ex gratiascheme for the...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Legislation (8 Apr 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I fully appreciate that the desire to know one's identity, or to re-establish contact with a child, is very fundamental and entirely reasonable. I acknowledge that the existing procedures in the area of information and tracing, both legislative and administrative, are not ideal and I have been anxious to see improvement in this regard. As I have stated on a number of occasions it is...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Records Provision (27 Mar 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 20 together. The Child and Family Agency provides an Information and Tracing Service throughout the country to birth mothers, adopted persons and their families. The Adoption Act 2010, requirement that agencies providing Information and Tracing services would gain accreditation resulted in a number of religious orders deciding not to apply for...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Legislative Programme (13 Mar 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department is continuing to work on the Heads of Bill for the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill and I hope to be in a position to seek Government approval to publish the Heads of Bill as soon as possible. As I have stated on a number of occasions it is important to note that complex legal and constitutional issues have arisen in the drafting of the Bill. A particular challenge has...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Legislation (20 Feb 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have highlighted previously the Constitutional and legal barriers to providing access to adoption records, including birth certificates, without the consent of the birth mother. The Adoption (Information and Tracing ) Bill will address this matter but the legislature will be constrained in the nature of any access which can be granted to adoption records by these legal issues. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Records Provision (18 Feb 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have highlighted previously the Constitutional and legal barriers to providing access to adoption records without the consent of the birth mother. The Adoption (Information and Tracing ) Bill will address this matter but the legislature will be constrained in the nature of any access which can be granted to adoption records by these legal considerations. My Department is continuing to work...

Other Questions: Adoption Legislation (12 Feb 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am conscious of the efforts being made by Philomena Lee to highlight the issues relating to information on and tracing of adoptions and illegal registrations. This is an extremely sensitive matter, especially for birth mothers who may still feel the emotional conflicts associated with adoptions many years ago. I have not yet had the opportunity to meet Philomena Lee. I would welcome a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Adoption Records Provision (12 Feb 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Adoption Act 1952 placed adoption on a regulatory footing in Ireland and, in accordance with the law, all adoptions taking place since were required to comply with that Act and subsequent legislation. The Deputy quoted a figure of 60,000 and used the phrase "forced adoptions", which I will address presently, but I am advised by the Adoption Authority of Ireland that 44,042 adoptions took...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Records Provision (12 Feb 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to take this opportunity to advise the House of the historic position regarding adoption in Ireland. The Adoption Act 1952 placed adoption on a regulatory footing in Ireland and all adoptions that have taken place since then should, in accordance with the law, have been in compliance with that Act. I am advised by the Adoption Authority of Ireland that 44,042 adoptions took place in...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Records Provision (11 Feb 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Adoption Act 1952 placed adoption on a regulatory footing in Ireland and all adoptions that have taken place since then should, in accordance with the law, have been in compliance with that Act. I am advised by the Adoption Authority of Ireland that 44,042 adoptions took place in Ireland between 1953 and 2012. While records exist in relation these adoptions these records may not be as...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Adoption Records Provision (17 Dec 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The issues raised by the Deputy are a matter of concern to me. I note the apology offered by the Australian Prime Minister earlier this year which relates, as I understand, to historic government policies operated in that jurisdiction. In Ireland, the Adoption Act 1952 provided a legal basis for adoption in Ireland and for the establishment of the Adoption Board. This brought order to...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Proposed Legislation (17 Dec 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 103 together. Existing procedures for the tracing of birth parents by people who have been adopted are not ideal and I have been anxious to see improvement brought about. The existing arrangements for those seeking access to information reflect a transition from complex and historical situations and I am anxious that the HSE implement much more...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Obesity Strategy (17 Dec 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government shares with many other agencies and professional groups, concerns about the growth and nutrition of children and teenagers. The factors associated with overweight and obesity in Irish children are complex, and research suggests that a multidimensional approach which crosses Government departments and agencies and involves children and families and community organisations...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Records Issues (28 Nov 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: Records in relation to adoptions as well as illegal birth registrations are currently held by a number of agencies, including the HSE, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and also by private adoption agencies, maternity hospitals, private individuals and other sources. Information held by the Adoption Authority is primarily in relation to adoptions which took place since the Adoption Act...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Services Provision (26 Nov 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 564 and 569 together. Records in relation to adoptions as well as illegal birth registrations are currently held by a number of agencies, including the HSE, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and also by private adoption agencies, maternity hospitals, private individuals and other sources. Information held by the Adoption Authority is primarily in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Adoption Records Provision (12 Nov 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am conscious of the concerns of those who are seeking information about their birth mother or a child given up at birth. The existing arrangements for those seeking access to information reflect a transition from complex and historical situations and I am anxious that the HSE implement much more improved and consistent arrangements for people in such circumstances. Quite a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Legislation (19 Sep 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Adoption Act of 1952, as subsequently amended, provided a legal basis for adoption in Ireland and for the establishment of the Adoption Board thereby bringing order to what had been the adhoc arrangements which had previously existed in lieu of formal adoption procedures. That Act was replaced most recently by the Adoption Act 2010 which also established the Adoption Authority of Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Records Provision (4 Jul 2013)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...have been transferred to the HSE Regional Adoption Service in Cork, from the Sacred Heart Adoption Society, which had responsibility for Bessboro, Co Cork, Sean Ross Abbey, Roscrea, Co Tipperary and Castlepollard, Co Westmeath. I am advised by the HSE that there has been very significant demand to access these files and consequently the HSE Regional Adoption Service in Cork has not been...