Category: Adoption

Openness Openness in adoption has become an increasing feature over the last 20 years.  There are biological reasons why it might be necessary to trace parents, such as hereditary diseases, allergies and other inherited risk factors. The previous requirements for absolute confidentiality have been relaxed in practice. Many agencies have facilitated meetings with natural parents […]

Inter-Country adoptions In stark contrast to earlier times, most adoptions now constitute inter-country adoptions. The Adoption Authority must recognise and register adoptions which satisfy the conditions in the legislation. The Authority maintains the register of foreign adoptions. Within three months of the child entering the State after an intercompany adoption from another state, the adopters […]

Background Before 1952, legal adoption did not exist in Ireland.  The 1952 Act placed conditions on the categories of persons who were qualified to adopt or be adopted in terms of age, religion and other criteria. The legislation evolved with various amendments through the 1960s and ’70s.  A significant number of cases were heard by […]

Suitability Prospective adopters may apply to the HSE for assessment of their suitability and eligibility to adopt.  Adoption committees may advise and assist the Authority in the performance of its functions and make representations regarding declarations of eligibility and suitability. The Authority may make enquiries and visit the home of applicants.  They may be examined […]

Marital Children Before the Adoption Act 1988, it was not possible to adopt children born of married parents. This led to the situation that many children in long-term foster care, who would have benefited from adoption, could not be adopted. The Adoption Act 1988 removed the previous restriction on adopting marital children. The Act seeks […]

Adoption The provisions of adoption legislation were amended by the Child and Family Relations Act 2015.  It enables civil partners, couples and cohabiting couples who have cohabited for more than three years to be eligible to adopt jointly.  It also allows for female same-sex couples to place a child for adoption. Cohabiting couples for the […]