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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23 Aug 2021New Research: ICA in Ireland - VietnamRead more →Intercountry Adoption in Ireland: Experiences, Supports, Challenges
Country Briefings: Vietnam
The Board of the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the Authority’s Research Advisory Committee are delighted to announce the second in a series of five planned country-specific briefings. This particular research report looks at the adoption of children from Vietnam into Ireland between 1988 and 2020.
Ms Orlaith Traynor, Chair of the Adoption Authority, said of this report:
“This is important and detailed research, showing the history of intercountry adoption in Ireland over more than 30 years, and will inform further research initiatives of the Authority."
- Between 1988 and 2020, 914 children were adopted from Vietnam by parents resident in Ireland.
- Adoptions from Vietnam accounted for the second largest proportion of all intercountry adoptions (ICA) into Ireland between 1988 and 2020, representing 18% of Ireland’s total current ICA population.
- The children’s average age at adoption was 7 months prior to the Adoption Act 2010, rising to 2 years old thereafter.
- Currently, individuals who were adopted from Vietnam into Ireland range from 3-40 years old, with 83% aged between 12 and 20. 12-15 year olds account for more than half of the total figure.
The report in full is available here.
For more information on our research, or to be added to our mailing list, please visit
our Research page, call 01 2309 317, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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17 Aug 2021UPDATE: Info & Tracing service on Here2Help filesRead more →UPDATE: Information and tracing service being provided on Here2Help files from the 1st of September 2021
From the 1st of September 2021, the Adoption Authority of Ireland will have responsibility for the provision of a social work service to clients whose adoptions were managed by Here2Help. If clients have previously been on a waiting list for information relating to their adoption or a tracing service with Here2Help, they do not need to contact us. The AAI will take responsibility of this waiting list and their cases will be allocated to a social worker in due course. 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:
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone: 01 2309300 (option 3)
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28 Jul 2021AAI Annual Report 2020Read more →Ms Orlaith Traynor, Chairperson of the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), is pleased to announce the publication of the AAI Annual Report 2020. The report sets out in detail the activities of the Authority throughout the year and developments in adoption in Ireland.
In a landmark year, for the first time since its establishment in 2010, the Authority used remote technology to hold adoption hearings and orders. With Chairman Dr Geoffrey Shannon presiding, the Board granted 39 adoption orders via Zoom during the COVID-19 lockdown. The remaining 42 of the total 81 adoption orders granted in 2020 took place in person under strict social distancing protocols. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the AAI operated and delivered a full service in its capacity as a quasi-judicial body.
