Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1174. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to address the illegal birth registrations discovered in view of the fact many are mature adults; the reason social workers are required in respect of such cases as opposed to providing for the proper registration of these false birth registrations; her plans to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36977/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, Tusla is actively engaged in the process of contacting those individuals affected by the recent discovery of evidence of incorrect registration in the St. Patrick's Guild records.  People have the right to know of their true origins and, where we have clear evidence, I have stated that I believe we have an obligation to tell the people affected.

It is vital that this process is a social work-led process as this is potentially life-changing information that needs to be imparted sensitively and in a measured, supportive way. Some individuals may know already, but for others it will be entirely new and very difficult information to receive and absorb. The process of offering contact and support to those affected is being handled very carefully by Tusla on a case-by-case basis, applying best social work professional practice, and utilising experienced Tusla information and tracing social work staff. 

I am aware of the complexity of issues that may arise for individuals receiving this life-changing information and I have already indicated my willingness to address the issues as they arise, with my Cabinet colleagues as required. 

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1175. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Adoption Authority of Ireland audit or the National Adoption Contact Register will identify the likely number of persons affected by false birth registration; the years covered by this analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36978/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I take it that the Deputy is referring to the review of adoption records that I requested be undertaken, in the first instance, to establish whether there is sufficient reliable evidence of the practice of incorrect registration that can be extracted from the records of adoption agencies. 

This Review is not an audit of the National Adoption Contact Register. It is a targeted sampling exercise of adoption records within the custody of the State, i.e. with the AAI and Tusla.

The terms of reference of the review have been published on the website of my Department, and the report will be submitted to me by mid October. 

It is impossible to say, at present, whether the review report will identify the likely number of persons affected by false birth registrations.  The report will relate to the sample reviewed, and the findings of the report will assist me to make a decision about the necessary next steps.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1176. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the institutions and agencies, nursing homes, religious bodies and so on which have been identified as carrying out illegal birth registrations; the period of time this encompasses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36979/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The State must reach a high level of certainty that an illegal birth registration has taken place before contacting the individuals concerned.  While there have been suspicions about the practice of illegal registrations for many years, that threshold of certainty has to date only been reached in the case of the 126 Saint Patrick's Guild cases that I announced in May of this year.  Those cases spanned the years 1946 to 1969.

The Deputy will be aware that a process is now being undertaken in order to establish whether there is sufficient reliable evidence of the practice of incorrect registration that can be extracted from the records of adoption agencies.   There are an estimated 150,000 relevant records; these records are from the agencies, bodies and institutions historically involved with adoption and informal adoption. Approximately 100,000 of these records are currently in the custody of the State. The intention is that the Review will provide information to assist me to reach a decision about what subsequent action might be required to identify more fully the scale of incorrect birth registrations.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1177. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she now plans to hold a full scale audit of adoption records with a view to determining the number of adoption records that may be false and misleading, including illegal registration of births; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36980/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Deputy will be aware of the analysis of adoption records that is currently being undertaken under my instruction.  An exercise to see if the extent of incorrect registrations of birth can be established has commenced.  The independent Chair, Ms. Marion Reynolds, is overseeing a process whereby the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Tusla are analysing a sample of relevant records in their custody. There are an estimated 150,000 relevant records in existence and, of these, approximately 100,000 are currently in the custody of the State.  The review will focus on those relevant records in the custody of the State.

The purpose of the review is to establish whether there is sufficient reliable evidence of the practice of incorrect registration that can be extracted from the records of adoption agencies. The sampling exercise will provide information to assist me to reach a decision about what subsequent action might be required to identify more fully the scale of incorrect birth registrations.

The report of the review is due to be submitted to me by mid October.

The full terms of reference of the review are on my Department's website.  

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1178. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if evidence in a recent court case as far back as 2001 regarding patients of St. Patrick's Guild that illegal registration had been made for children is now being accepted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36981/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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It is not clear what court case the Deputy is referring to, but I am assuming that the reference is to a recent High Court case relating to St Patrick's Guild. This case was settled and no judgement issued. In the absence of a judgement the issue of accepting evidence does not arise.

The State has a responsibility to reach a high level of certainty that there is in fact evidence that births were illegally registered before it contacts the individuals concerned. This threshold was reached in the 126 cases which Tusla are dealing with. I am very aware of the complexity of issues that may arise for individuals receiving this life-changing information and I intend to address these issues as they arise.