Adoption, fostering and surrogacy
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An outline of the adoption process in Ireland. -
The process of adopting a child from abroad, and the requirements (eligibility criteria) you must meet in order to carry out an intercountry adoption. -
There are currently more than 5,500 children in care in Ireland. Find out about fostering in Ireland and how you can become involved. -
Surrogacy is a way for a couple or individual to have a child, with a 'surrogate mother' carrying the child for them. Find out more about the law on surrogacy in Ireland and abroad. -
Find out how to access your birth information or trace your birth family if you were adopted in Ireland. -
This page describes the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, and the main actions set out by Government to address the needs of the people who spent time in mother and baby and county home institutions. -
Information on the application process for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. -
Kinship care is the full-time parenting of children by grandparents, relatives, or close friends when their parents are no longer able to look after them. -
Adoptive Benefit is a payment made to people on adoptive leave from work. Find out how to apply and rates of benefit.This document is in: Families and children -
Adoptive leave gives one parent who adopts a child, 24 weeks’ leave from work after the child is placed in your care.This document is in: Leave and holidays