About Us
The Adoption Authority of Ireland was established on 1 November 2010 under the Adoption Act 2010, which aims to improve standards in both domestic and intercountry adoption.
The Adoption Authority is an independent quasi-judicial body under the aegis of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
It is also the central authority for intercountry adoption in Ireland, in line with The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
Background
Legal adoption was first introduced in Ireland under the 1952 Adoption Act. The Act was enacted on 1 January 1953 and the Adoption Board was established under it. The Adoption Board had the sole right to grant or refuse to grant adoption orders. This right is now vested in the Adoption Authority of Ireland under the current 2010 legislation.
The AAI also has functions under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 (BITA) which was signed into law on 30 June 2022. Under this legislation, people who were adopted, boarded out, nursed out or the subject of an illegal birth registration, or who otherwise have questions in relation to their origins, can apply for access to their birth certificates and birth and early life information. The AAI is one of two state bodies providing these services, the other being Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
The BITA legislation also places the Contract Preference Register, maintained by the AAI, on a statutory footing, created a robust tracing service (operated by both the AAI and by Tusla), and provides a full and clear right of access to birth certificates, birth and early life information for all persons who were adopted, boarded out or the subject of an illegal birth registration or resident in a county or mother and baby institution.
The AAI office is currently located in Dublin at Shelbourne House, Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The AAI currently has a staff of approximately 60 employees.
Our services
The main services provided to the public by the AAI span the following areas:
Governance
The Authority is governed by a seven-person board, appointed by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.
The AAI is required under the Adoption Act 2010 to prepare a corporate strategy (strategic plan). The development of this strategic plan must take cognisance of, and align with, the Statement of Strategy for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
The current strategic plan covers a three-year period (2025-2027) and focuses on further developing the AAI’s mission and vision. Additionally, there are four core principles and values underpinning the mission and vision: empathy and respect, integrity and accountability, collaboration and teamwork, and adaptability and innovation.
Our mission, vision and values
Our mission
To ensure the provision of the highest possible standards of adoption-related services, with the best interests of the child and young person as the first and paramount objective, and act as the memory institution for our service users.
Our vision
To be the centre of excellence, and principal authoritative source of information, on all aspects of adoption and adoption-related services and to deliver these services in a way that is consistent, high-quality, trusted and responsive.
Our values
Empathy and respectÂ
We recognise that adopted people of all ages, birth and adoptive families all have their unique circumstances and needs. Our services are highly consequential to them, and we commit to being sensitive and conscious of each person’s needs as we deliver our functions. Everybody that engages with us is treated courteously and with dignity. We listen to and are focused on empowering our staff, our partners and our service users.
Integrity and accountability
We are honest, open and transparent in the delivery of services, being clear about what we do, why we do it and how we do it, and communicating the consequences of our actions.
Collaboration and teamwork
We work as a team, and as part of a wider team with our staff, partners and service users in the delivery of our functions. Through collaboration and communication, we ensure the highest standard of service delivery and uphold our duties as a trusted service provider and regulator.
Adaptability and innovation
We embrace change and build the resilience of both our staff and the organisation so that we can respond and adapt to the ever-changing legal and societal environment. This is underpinned by a culture that fosters innovation and encourages ongoing quality improvement in the delivery of our functions and services.