Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1980

Vol. 325 No. 1

Written Answers. - Adoption Matters.

316.

Mr. Keating

asked the Minister for Justice if he will give up-to-date statistics on the number of adoptions in the State for each year for which statistics are available; the number of adoption orders made for each of those years; if he will comment on whether other adoption arrangements have been entered into in some circumstances, perhaps without an official adoption order; the minimum, maximum and average lengths of time taken to process adoption orders; the ages, on average, of all such children involved in such adoptions; and if he will give statistics on the numbers of children placed for adoption outside the State by parents normally resident in the State.

317.

Mr. Keating

asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement in relation to the difficulties experienced in the placement of children for adoption; whether such difficulties include aspects of physical or mental character, such as some disability or colour of hair; and if he will categorise and outline all such problem areas.

318.

Mr. Keating

asked the Minister for Justice the number of adoption arrangements entered into each year for which statistics are available in respect of single parent families, unmarried people, unmarried natural mothers, unmarried natural fathers, grandparents of unmarried parents or otherwise.

Minister for Justice (Mr. G. Collins)

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Question Nos. 316, 317 and 318 together.

The Deputy may be under some misapprehension as to my functions in this area. I have no direct function at all. An Bord Uchtála were established by the Adoption Act, 1952 and their powers and functions are set out in that and subsequent Adoption Acts. They are an independent body and my Department are not involved in any way in their day-to-day operations or otherwise in relation to adoption.

The board's basic function is to consider individually applications for adoption orders and, where satisfied that it is proper to do so having regard to the relevant statutory provisions, to make an order. They have also certain specified functions in relation to adoption societies. They do not themselves place children for adoption nor have they any welfare or child-care function.

The annual reports of the board, which are available in the Library, contain certain statistical and other information and I am not in a position to give more information in the matter than is contained in them.