Plans for a new Adoption Authority to oversee all aspects of adoption practice in Ireland will be announced today by the Minister of State with Responsibility for Children, Mr Brian Lenihan.
Legislation setting out the functions of the authority, which will replace the Adoption Board, is due to be published this year.
In the meantime, the board has changed its name in line with the proposal, and has adopted a four-year corporate plan.
This document, to be published this morning, says the authority's aim was "to build on the positive aspects of the work undertaken by the Adoption Board, local adoption agencies and health boards over the past 50 years, with a view to delivering a fully comprehensive, integrated, quality adoption service at national and local level".
The agency said that it was undertaking "initial discussions" with the Department of Health and Children about the possibility of taking over responsibility for foster care services in the State in the context of the current Health Services Reform Programme.
In a forward to the report, the chairman of the agency, Judge Jim O'Sullivan, said adoption practice and social attitudes to adoption had changed considerably since the board was established in 1953.
"The hurt and dissatisfaction that some people have experienced, which, in part, reflected social attitudes then and a lack of forward planning, needs to be acknowledged.
"Recognition must also be given to the good work that has been done in often difficult and sensitive circumstances."
