28 October 2022:
Tusla – Child and Family Agency and the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) have received 6,552 applications from people seeking their birth and early years information and to trace a relative since the new services launched on 3rd of October 2022.

Overall, both agencies are experiencing a high level of interest in the provisions of the new Act, and we welcome the corresponding high number of applications from people availing of the new services. To date, the two agencies have processed and issued 65 requests for information with more due for completion and issue next week.

The AAI is also processing 2,705 applications made to the Contact Preference Register and has successfully identified 154 matches for relatives for whom they are facilitating contact and reunion.

Processing the initial large volume of information requests is proving to be a challenge, despite the daily numbers stabilising since the 12th of October. While we welcome the large volume of applications, it is proving difficult to respond to all requests within the timeframes set out. Because of this, Tusla and AAI are writing to affected applicants, advising them of the delay and assuring them of the commitment to respond as soon as possible. Searching for and extracting the records is time-consuming, sensitive and involves meticulous attention to detail given the historical nature and condition of the records and the fact that they can be held across a range of locations or databases.

We are acutely aware of the disappointment this may cause and we sincerely apologise for the delay in processing applications.

Both agencies are doing their utmost to respond to all the applications received within the shortest timeframe. We will continue to keep every person who is waiting for information informed about their application.

~Ends~

Applications at 24/10/2022

AAI:
Information 2,048, Tracing 20, Contact Preference Register 2,705
Tusla:

Information 2,584, Tracing 1,850

Total:

Information 4,632, Tracing 1,870, Contact Preference Register 2,705