Figures show rise in adoptions last year

There were 131 children adopted in Ireland last year. File picture: iStock

There were 131 children adopted in Ireland last year, an increase of 41 in 2023, new figures have revealed.

The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) also said there were 17 entries in the Register of Intercountry Adoptions of children into Ireland by adopters habitually resident here in 2024.

Foreign adoptions have declined dramatically in numbers since the introduction of the Adoption Act 2010 – the law strengthens the rights of the child and makes adoptions more transparent. Between 15 and 20 years ago, there were approximately 300 children being adopted into Ireland from abroad.

The new figures also show, of the 131 adoption orders granted in 2024:

• 45 orders were in respect of children in long-term foster care 
• 5 children were placed for adoption from birth 
• 10 children living with extended family were adopted 
• 71 were step-parent adoptions

The Adoption Act 2010 as amended 2016/2017 puts the child at the heart of the adoption. The amendments also give short-term foster carers the right to apply to adopt their foster child, if the child is being placed for adoption and it is in their best interests.

Previously, it was policy that short-term foster carers who were providing the initial care for a child until the eligibility threshold was met could not apply to adopt that particular child.

Domestic adoption eligibility criterion here requires that the child is more than six weeks old; all guardians have been counselled and are giving free and informed consent; in the absence of consent an application can be made to the High Court to dispense with the consent - these applications usually relate to birth fathers.