Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1697. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to allow adopted persons access their personal files and information regarding their adoption and origins; when she plans to allow adopted persons such access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38938/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 provides for the first time a statutory entitlement to identity information for adopted persons. It provides for a structured and regulated access to information and tracing services for those affected by adoption. It sets out the information that can be provided and the circumstances in which it can be provided to adopted persons. A key provision in the Bill provides that an adopted person aged 18 years or over who was adopted prior to commencement of the Bill will be provided with the information required to apply for his or her birth certificate, subject to certain conditions. The Bill also provides for access to relevant records containing the information concerned that are held by the Authority. The Bill passed Second Stage in Seanad Eireann in May 2017 and will proceed to Committee Stage in the Seanad as soon as possible.