Adoption, fostering and surrogacy
An outline of the adoption procedure 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.
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
People who adopt children may be entitled to leave from employment. This leave is called adoptive leave. Find out what this means and how to apply.
This document is in: Leave and holidays
There are currently about 6,000 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.
Read about tracing your birth family if you were adopted in Ireland.