Written answers

Wednesday, 19 December 2018

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Legislative Measures

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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537. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of the implementation strategy for the outstanding relevant sections of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 remaining to be commenced; the sections that remain to be commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53525/18]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the pressing need to make technical amendments to the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 including those sections in Part 9 that provide for the registration and re-registration of the birth of a donor-conceived child and, in particular, make possible the registration of details of “Parent”, as well as “Mother” and “Father”, where required.

I want to make these necessary amendments at the earliest possible opportunity.

It is my intention to bring these amendments forward in a stand-alone Bill in 2019.

Commencement of these amendments are also dependent on commencement of Parts 2 and 3 of the 2015 Act which is the responsibility of the Minister for Health. There are important administrative and operational arrangements to be put in place to facilitate the implementation of Parts 2 and 3, including the establishment of the National Donor-Conceived Person Register and the appointment of authorised persons under the Act. I understand that it is Minister for Health's intention that these provisions will be commenced as soon as possible.

Officials from my Department are working with the General Registration Service (GRS) and the Department of Health to ensure that the appropriate legislative, regulatory, and operational mechanisms are in place to allow for the earliest possible commencement of all of the relevant legislation that will allow for birth registrations of donor-conceived children.

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