Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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262. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to correspondence being issued to persons (details supplied) advising that they are unable to meet the statutory obligation in processing applications; his views on this; the engagement his Department has had in this regard; his views on whether this is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62897/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Officials from my Department have been engaging with both the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) and the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, in respect of the ongoing implementation of services under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022.

Information and Tracing services, as provided for under the Act, opened to applications on 03 October 2022. As of 12 December, a total of 5,956 applications for information have been received by Tusla and the AAI, with over two thirds of that total being received within two weeks of commencement. These applications are in addition to the 2,652 applications made for tracing services since 03 October, and 2,934 preferences registered to the Contact Preference Register since it opened on 01 July.

Processing the initial volume of information requests, reflecting decades of pent-up and increasing demand, is proving to be a challenge. As of Monday 12 December, the two agencies have processed and issued over 800 requests for information, with more due for completion and issue each day.

In addition to Information and Tracing services, applications are continuing to be made to the Contact Preference Register, and the AAI has successfully identified 196 matches for relatives for whom they are facilitating contact.

I am deeply aware of the disappointment and frustration caused to applicants receiving a notification indicating that there will be a delay in the compilation and release of their information. I have been assured that both agencies are doing their utmost to respond to all the applications received within the shortest possible timeframe. I have also been advised that they are re-assigning additional staff members to work exclusively on processing applications and that they will continue to keep every person who is waiting for information informed about their application.