What We Do
What We Do
Adoption in Ireland is regulated by the Adoption Authority of Ireland which is an independent quasi judicial statutory body appointed by Government.
History
Adoptions in Ireland commenced on the 1st January, 1953 with the enactment of the Adoption Act, 1952.
The 1952 Act established the Adoption Board which had the sole right to grant or refuse to grant adoption orders. A Chairman and six ordinary members were appointed to the Board and the membership of the Board was subsequently increased to nine members.
Definition of Adoption
Adoption in Ireland provides for the permanent transfer of parental rights and duties from the birth parents to the adoptive parents. An adopted child is considered to be the child of the adopters as if born to them in lawful wedlock.
What the AAI does
The Adoption Authority of Ireland is responsible for registering and supervising the Registered Adoption Societies and for maintaining the Adoption Societies Register. The Adoption Board is also responsible for granting declarations of eligibility and suitability to prospective adopters in advance of their adopting abroad and for maintaining the Register of Foreign Adoptions in which details of inter-country adoptions are entered.
- we plan and oversee the development of comprehensive, high quality and integrated adoption services
- we make adoption orders, issue declarations of eligibility and suitability to adopt, and maintain the adoption registers
- we set down guidelines and standards for the provision of all adoption services and to provide for review and evaluation of those services
- we register and inspect against approved standards all agencies providing adoption services
- we undertake and promote research and publish information about adoption and related services
- we provide information directly to the general public and support others in the provision of information on adoption services.