Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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1128. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for the publication of the annual report for 2021 submitted by the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection on 30 June 2021; the timeline for the publication of the report on illegal adoptions which was submitted to the Government on 30 September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2400/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Special Rapporteur on Child Protection reviews and reports to Government on specific national and international legal developments, existing or proposed legislative provisions and litigation in the area of child protection on the request of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

The Special Rapporteur submitted his annual report, covering an 18-month reporting period from January 2020 to June 2021, on 30 June 2021. While the report is submitted to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the policy areas covered and recommendations made relate to a number of Government Departments and Agencies. The report was circulated, on a confidential basis, to relevant Departments in September 2021 for their consideration and appropriate action.

It is my intention to submit the annual report to Government, for approval to lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas and to publish, very shortly. It will subsequently be published on my Department’s website.

Following the publication of an independent review into illegal birth registrations in March 2021, I requested the Special Rapporteur to examine the significant complexities associated with the matter and set out proposed next steps for the Government. The Special Rapporteur submitted his report on 30 September 2021 and it is currently under consideration by the Department. I will submit the report to Government, for approval to lay before the Houses and to publish, in due course.