Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 3

Written Answers. - Inter-Country Adoptions.

Liam Aylward

Question:

69 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 1 June 1999, couples who wish to proceed with a foreign adoption are included on the current waiting list for adoption assessment in the South-Eastern Health Board area; and, if so, if he will place these couples on a separate list to reduce their waiting period where the availability of foreign children for adoption is much greater than at home. [15592/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Fahey)

Those formally applying to the South-Eastern Health Board for adoption assessment are placed in numerical order, on a first come first served basis, on a common waiting list. The issue of where one wants to adopt from is a matter for discussion in the context of the actual home study assessment. Choosing inter-country adoption rather than domestic adoption has no effect on the waiting period for assessment.