Adopted Authority to help trace parents

ADOPTED people should be able to trace their birth parents more quickly through the Adoption Authority launched yesterday.

About 2,600 people applied for this information last year, but it can take up to six years before a name is released.

The Minister of State for Children Brian Lenihan officially launched the corporate plan for the Adoption Authority, which will replace the Adoption Board.

One of its key components is a national tracing and information service for both birth parents and adopted children.

Mr Lenihan said a committee has been set up to discuss the best service and that an extra €100,000 had been allocated last Christmas to cut the existing backlog.

He has acknowledged the hurt and unhappiness experienced by many in their dealings with the Adoption Board and adoption agencies.

The Adoption Authority aims to provide a “national, quality adoption service.” This will include the primary function of granting or refusing applications for adoption orders and supervising adoption societies.

“We want to develop standards of best practice across all the health board areas. There is a clear commitment to put in the structures required,” said director of services John Keegan.

The Adoption Authority will also be responsible for regulating adoptions from foreign countries.

The Adoption Authority board, which is headed by chief executive John Collins, has wide representation from groups working in the sector.

The authority will also be given statutory powers after Mr Lenihan brings his adoption legislation to the Dáil later this year. The legislation will also deal with:

The age limit for parents wishing to adopt.

Whether same-sex couples can adopt children.