To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the regulations needed for the implementation of the Adoption and Children Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.

The Adoption and Children Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (“the Act”) is being implemented on a phased basis over five years, from 2022-2027. This involves the drafting of, and consultation on, approximately twenty-five Statutory Rules and accompanying statutory guidance. A number of Commencement Orders will also be required. To date, two Statutory Rules and one Commencement Order have been made, relating to the renaming of Guardians ad Litem and the Northern Ireland Guardian ad Litem Agency.

Work is ongoing on the drafting of the remaining Statutory Rules which will be required. In April 2025, my Department will publish and lay before the Assembly its first report on the implementation of Parts 1 and 2 of the Act, in accordance with its duty under Section 158.