Adoption data at unaccredited agencies not legally protected

TENS of thousands of adoption files, some exposing illegal adoptions and birth registrations, cannot be inspected by the Adoption Authority as a number of agencies have not applied to be accredited under new legislation.

Under the Adoption Act 2010, the Adoption Authority has the right to inspect and copy all files held by agencies which it has accredited.

However, it has emerged that two religious adoption agencies, the Sacred Heart Adoption Society (SHAS) in Cork and St Brigid’s Adoption Society in Dublin, have not applied for accreditation, and are not compelled to do so under the legislation.