Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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544. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that he did not appoint experts with lived experience of adoption, mother and baby homes and related issues to the Birth Information and Tracing Implementation Group. [8351/22]

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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545. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that he did not appoint experts advocating on behalf of persons affected by adoption, mother and baby homes and related issues to the Birth Information and Tracing Implementation Group. [8352/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 544 and 545 together.

In June 2021, I established the Birth Information and Tracing Implementation Group. This group is led by my Department, and includes representatives from the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Group's focus is on organisational and system readiness to support the provision of services under the proposed Birth Information and Tracing legislation.

As part of the work of the Implementation Group, it was agreed that engagement with stakeholders would be beneficial to prepare for enactment and, to this end, I intend to convene a stakeholder reference group.

It is envisaged that the work of this reference group will be aimed at supporting preparations for the implementation of the legislation when enacted. Its work will have specific regard to how individuals will apply for their information including application forms, processes and the public information campaign that will support implementation.

In advance of, and during the drafting process for the Birth Information and Tracing Bill, I have continued to engage with and listen to stakeholders who are affected by the provisions of the Bill. I am immensely grateful to all of those people who gave their time to relay their experiences, concerns and proposals. I have also engaged with hundreds of individuals on the topic of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill through individual pieces of correspondence.

These consultations and engagements were highly productive, with a range of themes emerging and informing the Birth Information and Tracing Bill.