Adoption records and rural schools review
Robert Troy asks about adoption-record access legislation and publication of a rural-schools value-for-money review; the adoption Bill is under Cabinet discussion and the review remains under consideration.
The adoption (tracing and information) Bill has been long promised and is important because it will give people their basic fundamental right, which is the right to their identity. There are 50,000 people currently who are looking to explore their adoption records, and we await the legislation on that to come from the Government.
The Minister undertook a value for money review on small rural schools over 12 months ago. I understand he has had that report for a considerable period. When will it be laid before the House in order that we can have a full and frank debate on the future of small rural schools? They are facing a lot of uncertainty in not knowing where their future lies. Perhaps the Minister could enlighten me today.
Comment on this
The first matter in respect of adoption is up for discussion within the Cabinet. There are issues with it that I know the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, is anxious to resolve and to bring forward the legislation as quickly as possible. The other matter raised is still under consideration.