The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) required that a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) be conducted on the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation's transfer of its databases and related records to Tusla, in order to identify and minimise any associated data protection risks. Before and since receiving the databases and related records, Tusla's Data Protection Unit carried out an initial DPIA. Tusla's Data Protection Officer representing the public interest monitored the development of the DPIA. 

Tusla welcomes and is happy to receive any observations or comments that the public may have on the DPIA. Further details about the DPIA and how to request information is available at this link.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Post: Data Protection Officer, Tusla, 6th Floor, Brunel Building, Heuston South Quarter, St. John's Road West, D08 X01F

For access to information contained within the databases and related records or any other record held by the Adoption service, through either a data subject access request (Access) or freedom of information (FOI) request, please email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Information on making an Access request to Tusla is available here. 

Information on making an FOI request to Tusla is available here. 

If you previously made an Access or FOI request to Tusla, particularly regarding identity, a new request will not necessarily provide additional or differing information to that which was already received. You can however be assured that every request will be treated as new and responded to with the intention of releasing as much information as possible. 

Tusla is legally permitted to use the databases only for the purpose of processing data subject access and FOI requests until robust information and tracing legislation is introduced. However, we will continue to provide trace/search/ reunion requests from all of the paper records we hold. Tusla also recognises that the databases and related records could have significant further value in the coming years, and every effort will be made in the intervening time to use it to maximum benefit.