On this Friday, 12 March 2021, the offices of the Adoption Authority will close at 1pm in order to facilitate an essential ICT system upgrade. The offices will reopen for business at 9.30am on Monday 15 March 2021.
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.
HSE announces extended Counselling Supports for those affected by Illegal Birth Registrations
HSE Media Release: 3 March 2021
Evidence of illegal registration records from St. Patrick's Guild was previously announced in May 2018 by the then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. An independent analysis of adoption records held in the custody of the State [Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland] was carried out to find if the practice of illegal registration took place in other Irish adoption services.
A number of support options are in place for anyone impacted, including the HSE's National Counselling Service (NCS). Established in 2000, the HSE's National Counselling Service has over 20 years of experience providing counselling and psychotherapy to a wide range of clients across the country. The National Counselling Service, which is available from Monday to Friday (9 - 5pm), can be offered by telephone, online through secure video and where possible Counsellors can also facilitate some face to face appointments.
The HSE also funds Connect Counselling, which provides an anonymous telephone support service (1800 477 477) available to former residents of Mother & Baby Homes or anyone affected by illegal birth registrations. Connect is available 7 days a week from 6pm - 10pm. The Barnardos Post Adoption helpline, 01 454 6388, is also available daily to reach out and access the help that is available.
The HSE Live team can provide information on supports and can also help with details on how to access the National Counselling Service. They can be contacted on 1800 817 517, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and on Saturday from 10am to 5pm. The HSE would encourage anyone who has been impacted or needs support to reach out and access the help that is available.
Information on counselling supports and contact details can be found on the HSE website here.
There are an estimated 150,000 adoption records in existence and, of these, approximately 100,000 are currently in the custody of the State, for example in the possession of either Tusla, the Child and Family Agency or the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
The review is focused on those records in the custody of the State and a targeted sampling exercise in being carried out in the first instance owing to the volume of records involved.
More details can be found on www.gov.ie.
NOTICE From the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
gov.ie - Transfer of records from the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation (www.gov.ie)
On 28 February 2021, with the dissolution of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth ("the Department") became the data controller for all the personal data contained in the records and databases (including those of the Confidential Committee) that transferred from the Commission. The Commission has now dissolved, in accordance with relevant legislation.
The Department is now responsible for the maintenance and storage of these records. It is also responsible for fulfilling data subject rights, including the right of access to personal data (for example, by former residents of the institutions examined by the Commission).
If you would like to access your personal data, we request that you fill out the Subject Access Request form below and email this to the following address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you have queries or other requests, you can also email this address and we will revert to you as soon as possible. The Department has submitted its Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) to the Data Protection Commission in respect of the full transfer of the Commission of Investigation material. The Department hopes to publish the relevant sections of the DPIA on its website shortly and to add other material that will be of interest to members of the public.
For further details, publications and links, please visit gov.ie - Transfer of records from the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation (www.gov.ie)
Illegal Birth Registration Advice and Support
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in the RTÉ Investigates documentary, Who Am I, support is available.
For advice and support contact Barnardos on (01) 454 6388 from 9.30am - 4.30pm Tuesday to Thursday or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For adoption queries, contact Tusla - Child & Family Agency on freephone 1800 80 56 65 from 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday.
For adoption information and tracing services, contact Tusla on (01) 771 8500 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you seeking access to personal information from the records of the Mother & Baby Homes Commission of Investigation, which have transferred to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) is currently receiving a large volume of contacts.
In addition, although out offices are open, on-site attendance by staff is reduced due to COVID-19 restrictions.
We will acknowledge all correspondence and inquiries and ask for patience in providing a full response to every request.
For AAI Information and Tracing services, contact (01) 230 9300 option 3,
or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For AAI Social Work services, contact (01) 230 9306 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency have issued a country programme advisory. Please click here to view the most up to date information on intercountry adoption programmes.
Here2Help files will transfer to the Adoption Authority of Ireland in April 2021. These files include open information and trace cases and a waiting list for those requesting an information and tracing service. It is the intention of the Adoption Authority to provide a service to anyone whose information was held by Here2Help. The Authority will do so as soon as relevant procedures and resources are in place.
From today, February 25th, Here2Help will transfer its waiting list to the AAI. All further requests for an information and tracing service should be directed to the Information and Tracing section of the Adoption Authority.
Contact the Information and Tracing Unit:
Telephone: 01 2309300 (option 3)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Adoption Authority of Ireland is seeking to fill a vacancy at Principal Social Worker Level, based in the Authority's offices in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. This is a significant opportunity to join the management team of a State agency.
The Principal Social Worker will be responsible for leading the social work team (currently 5), and will have primary responsibility for the daily management of the work of the social work team. The Principal Social Worker is a key member of the Senior Management Team and will be required to develop a strong relationship with the team, actively contributing to the development and implementation of the Authority's objectives and strategies.
Full information about this post, and the application process is available in the Candidate Information Booklet.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit the three documents as set out below to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- A fully completed Application Form
- A cover/letter personal statement outlining why you wish to be considered for the post and where you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements for the role of Principal Social Worker
- Certificate of Registration with CORU
The closing date and time for applications is 12 noon on Friday 19th March 2021.
If you require a Word version of the application form please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with 'PSW Competition' in the Subject line. Requests for the Word version must be made by 2pm on Tuesday 16 March 2021.
Applications not received in the inbox of This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at the specified deadline will not be accepted.
If you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application within 2 working days of applying, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01 2309 347.
The Adoption Authority of Ireland is seeking to fill a vacancy at Principal Social Worker Level, based in the Authority's offices in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. This is a significant opportunity to join the management team of a State agency.
The Principal Social Worker will be responsible for leading the social work team (currently 5), and will have primary responsibility for the daily management of the work of the social work team. The Principal Social Worker is a key member of the Senior Management Team and will be required to develop a strong relationship with the team, actively contributing to the development and implementation of the Authority's objectives and strategies.
Full information about this post, and the application process is available in the Candidate Information Booklet.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit the three documents as set out below to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- A fully completed Application Form
- A cover/letter personal statement outlining why you wish to be considered for the post and where you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements for the role of Principal Social Worker
- Certificate of Registration with CORU
The closing date and time for applications is 12 noon on Friday 19th March 2021.
Applications not received in the inbox of This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at the specified deadline will not be accepted.
If you require a Word version of the application form please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with 'PSW Competition' in the Subject line. Requests for the Word version must be made by 2pm on Tuesday 16 March 2021.
If you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application within 2 working days of applying, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01 2309 347.
A special online meet and chat for intercountry adopted adults with Barnardos
When: 22nd February 2021, 7:30pm - 9pm
Suitable for: Intercountry adopted adults over 18 (not open to parents or professionals)
More details and booking are available at https://www.barnardos.ie/learning-development/training/training-events-courses/2021/february/zoom-intercountry-adopted-adults-220221
The Barnardos Post Adoption Helpline (01) 454 6388 is open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.30am - 4.30pm
