Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, has welcomed the launch of the new Information and Tracing services established under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022.
This landmark Act, signed into law earlier this year, provides a full and clear right of access to birth certificates, birth and early life information for all persons who were adopted, boarded out, the subject of an illegal birth registration or who otherwise have 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.
From today the new law establishes a robust tracing service. The tracing service will enable affected persons and those connected to them to actively seek contact or share information. The Act also introduced a wide range of new bespoke measures to address issues arising for people affected by illegal birth registration. A broad spectrum of counselling and support is available, on request, to persons affected. All of these services will be free of charge for applicants.
Deputy Murnane O'Connor said, "I am acutely aware of the long and difficult road so many had to travel to get to this point. I am pleased and thankful though, that the day has arrived where people can with certainty and confidence access what is rightfully theirs."
Applications can now be made for access to birth, early life, care and medical information and for tracing services. Information requests can be made to the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Tusla through the bespoke website www.birthinfo.ie. All information falling within the categories of information defined in the Act must be released, without exception, where it exists.
It is important to note that the Contact Preference Register, also established through this legislation and managed by the Adoption Authority of Ireland, remains open to applications and will continue to do so.
More information on the Act, the services it establishes and the persons eligible to use them, is available at www.birthinfo.ie.
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