The Adoption Authority says there is no upper age limit for those who want to adopt in Ireland.

It follows newspaper reports today which suggested the organisation was considering an upper age limit that would mean parents should be no more than 42 years older than the child they were planning to adopt.

The Irish Independent quoted a report from the agency, which says parents should be in good health and 'of an age to parent children with needs through to adulthood'.

However in a statement this morning, the Adoption Authority says it considers health, life circumstance, and the ability of a person to parent when looking at applications - not specifically the age of the potential parent.

Patricia Carey, head of the Adoption Authority, stresses they "don't have any particular age limit in mind" and says the organisation may have to look at its communications to avoid confusion on the issue:

The age and needs of children available for adoption has changed in recent years, and are often older children or those with special needs. The number of babies available for adoption is said to have fallen dramatically.

116 adoption orders were granted in Ireland last year - up from 49 in 2012. 141 foreign adoptions were also registered.

Originally posted 8:36am