52 People In The Midlands Avail Of New Birth Information Tracing Services

Tuesday, 11 October 2022 17:40

Photo Credit: Facebook @Adoption Authority of Ireland

New services, under the Birth Information and Tracing Act, were launched last week.

52 people in the midlands have applied for birth information one week on from the launch of new tracing services.

They're among over a thousand people who've made an application to the Adoption Authority of Ireland for details on their early life.

New services, under the Birth Information and Tracing Act, were launched last week, giving access to birth information, including birth certs and medical history, and helping adoptees to trace their birth family.

In the midlands, 20 people in both Laois and Westmeath have submitted applications, with 12 in Offaly.

The Birth Information and Tracing Act provides a 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 Birth Information and Tracing Act are provided free of charge by the AAI and Tusla.

People affected by the legislation are urged to make an application on birthinfo.ie.

Adoption Authority CEO Patricia Carey says;

"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."