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. 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.