Introduction

The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 enshrines in law the importance of a person knowing their origins.In accordance with this fundamental objective, it provides for the following four services:

1. Information Service

2. Tracing Service

3. Contact Preference Register

4. Safeguarding of Records

Purpose of Guidelines

Policy guidelines have been made under sections 16, 19, 24, 25, 31, and 37 of the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 provides the legislative basis for the suite of services set out above.The purpose of these guidelines is to provide detailed Ministerial guidance on the operation of the services, reflecting the primary legislation and any secondary legislation in force.It is also intended that these guidelines will provide a ‘plain English’ and user-friendly explanation of the legislation, although they do not purport to be a legal interpretation.

At an operational level, it is envisaged that the guidelines will aid the development and implementation of consistent and user-friendly operating procedures by each body delivering services under the Act.

To read the Guidelines in full, please click here.