THE ADOPTION AUTHORITY OF IRELAND
Our Mission
"To ensure the provision of the highest possible standards of adoption related services, throughout the lifelong adoption process, with the best interest of children as the first and paramount objective"
The Adoption Authority of Ireland was established as an independent regulatory body on 1st November, 2010 following the enactment of the Adoption Act 2010
Our Goals
To achieve the highest standard in the regulation and operation of adoption services in Ireland.
To apply informed and balanced decision-making in adoption services, in accordance with national and international law and evidence-based practice.
To inform and influence adoption policy and service delivery by reason of a practical understanding of the operations of the legislation through the provision of a comprehensive information, research and communications framework.
To plan and implement the changes required in organisation policies and operational procedures in line with emerging legislative changes.
To maintain an efficient, competent, accountable and learning organisation.
Latest News
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08 Jan 2020Intercountry Adoption: Figures - AAI Releases Data on 28 Years of AdoptionRead more →The Board of the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the Authority's Research Subcommittee are delighted to announce the publication of the first in a series of short research reports.
The research report covers adoptions from January 1991 - September 2019.
Key Points:
- 4, 989 intercountry adoptions were approved between January 1991 and September 2019
- January 1991 - October 2010: 4382 intercountry adoptions from 33 countries.
- 83% of these children came from just 5 countries: Russia, Romania, Vietnam, China and Ethiopia.
- November 2010 - September 2019: 707 intercountry adoptions from 23 countries.
- 80% of these children came from just 5 countries: Russia, Vietnam, Ethiopia, USA and China.
- The report also shows the current ages of the adopted individuals:
- The vast majority of those adopted are currently aged 6 - 16
- There is a large number of adults in the 29 - 31 age bracket.
Dr Geoffrey Shannon, Chairman of the Adoption Authority, said:
"This is important and detailed research, showing the history of intercountry adoption on Ireland for almost 30 years, and will inform further research by the Authority".
Click here to access the report in full.
For more information on our research, please visit the research section of our website here, call 01-2309 300 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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06 Jan 2020**Deadline Extended to January 24 2020**Public Call for Submissions on the General Scheme of the Certain Institutional Burials (Authorised Interventions) BillRead more →The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs invites written submissions from interested groups or individuals on the General Scheme of a Certain Institutional Burials (Authorised Interventions) Bill.
The Committee will consider any suitable written submissions and may decide to invite a number of contributors to public hearings, should it be considered necessary.
The closing date for receipt of submissions has been extended to Friday 24 January 2020.
Submissions should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For further details, including how to make a submission, please click here.
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13 Dec 2019Closure of Cúnamh (formerly CPRSI) Adoption AgencyRead more →Closure of Cúnamh (formerly CPRSI) Adoption Agency
Please see link to Cúnamh website:
Due to the closure of Cúnamh, the agency’s files were transferred to the Adoption Authority of Ireland in mid-December 2019. 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 Cúnamh. The Authority will do so as soon as relevant procedures are in place. The Authority hopes to be in a position to contact persons whose cases are open and those on the waiting list in early 2020. New enquiries for those seeking a service related to the Cúnamh files can be made using the details below.
Adoption Authority of Ireland
Shelbourne House
Shelbourne Road,
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
D04 H6F6
Phone (from Ireland): 01 230 9300
Phone (from outside Ireland): +353 1 230 9300
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web site: aai.gov.ie
