Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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519. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he acknowledges that the statutory time period of one month, extendable only to three months, under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 concerning the provision of information to relevant person is routinely being breached; the actions he is taking in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15240/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022provides guaranteed access to birth and early life information where it exists, thereby addressing a decades-long historic injustice. In this context, there is an initial surge of demand for services under the Act and everyone is committed to responding to this demand as quickly as possible.

As of Monday 27 March a total of 7,526 applications for information have been received by the Child and Family Agency, Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI).

These applications are in addition to the 3,489 applications made for tracing services since 03 October, and 3,106 preferences registered to the Contact Preference Register since it opened on 01 July.

Processing the initial volume of information requests, reflecting decades of increasing demand, is proving to be a challenge. As of Monday 27 March, the two agencies have processed and completed over 2,948 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 215 matches for relatives for whom they are facilitating contact.

I am deeply conscious of the frustration caused to applicants receiving a notification indicating that there will be a delay in the compilation and release of their information. However, I am confident that both Tusla and the AAI are doing their utmost to respond to all of the applications received within the shortest possible period.

Furthermore, officials from my Department have been engaging with both the AAI and Tusla in respect of the ongoing implementation of services under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022. Both agencies advise that they have re-assigned 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.