More than 1,200 people apply to Adoption Authority in first week of launch

Of 1,288 applications made to the AAI from October 3 to October 10, there were 1,176 from people living in Ireland, 48 from the UK, 28 from the USA, and others from countries including Australia, Germany, The Netherlands, France, and Canada. Thirteen of the UK applications were made by people living in Northern Ireland.

In Ireland, the largest number of applications came from Dublin (419), followed by Cork (162), Kildare (53), and Meath (52). The county with the fewest applications was Leitrim (6).

The Birth Information and Tracing Act provides a full and clear right of access to birth certificates, birth, early life, care, and medical information for any person who was adopted, boarded out, had their birth illegally registered, or who otherwise has questions in relation to their origins.

Additionally, it allows for access to information by a child of a relevant person where their parent has died, and for access by the next of kin of a child who died in an institution.

The new law also creates a statutory tracing service for those affected by adoption who are seeking contact with birth relatives. Services under the Act are provided free of charge by the AAI and Tusla.

Adoption Authority CEO Patricia Carey said: “There has been an incredible response to the launch of birth information and tracing services – with more than 1,200 people applying to the Adoption Authority in the first week, and many others also applying to our colleagues in Tusla.

“People who were adopted, boarded out or had their birth information illegally registered in Ireland have waited a very long time for this legislation, and trained staff in the Adoption Authority are working  through all the applications we receive as quickly and professionally as possible to ensure that every applicant receives any information about their birth and earlier years that we hold.”