asked the Minister for Health the number of adoption orders made in 1985; and the number of such orders made in favour of (a) Roman Catholic adopters; (b) adopters of mixed religions; and (c) adopters of a religion other than Roman Catholic.
Written Answers. - Adoption Statistics.
110.
There were a total of 882 orders made in 1985. Eight hundred and thirty-two adoption orders were made in cases involving Roman Catholics only; 11 were in favour of couples of mixed religion and 39 orders were made in favour of couples of a religion other than Roman Catholic.
111.
asked the Minister for Health the total number of children placed for adoption by each health board in the country in each of the last five years; the total number of adoption orders made in each of the last five years pursuant to an adoption placement made by a health board; the total number of applicants for adoption at present on the books of each health board awaiting the placement of a child for adoption; the total number of children at present in the care of each of the health boards available for adoption but not placed for adoption; and the age of each such child.
I have set out the information requested by the Deputy, in so far as it is available, in the following tabular statement.
I appreciate that this table does not cover all the points raised by the Deputy and I suggest that he contact the health boards direct for the further details he may require.
|
Health Board |
Number of children placed for adoption in the years |
Number of adoption orders made in each of the last 5 years pursuant to an adoption made by the Board |
Number of applicants for adoption presently on the books of each health board awaiting the placement of a child for adoption |
Number of children in the care of each of the health boards that are available for adoption but have not been placed for adoption, and their ages |
||||||||
|
1981 |
1982 |
1983 |
1984 |
1985 |
1981 |
1982 |
1983 |
1984 |
1985 |
|||
|
Eastern |
5 |
9 |
10 |
14 |
13 |
5 |
6 |
11 |
13 |
11 |
10 couples |
6—2 years, 6 months, 2 months, 7 months, 4 months, 4 weeks |
|
Midland |
16 |
14 |
20 |
11 |
3 |
16 |
14 |
20 |
8 |
6 |
6 ,, |
1—8½ years |
|
Mid-Western |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 ,, |
0 |
|
North-Eastern |
na |
na |
na |
na |
na |
na |
na |
na |
9 |
6 |
0 ,, |
7—all under 3 months |
|
North-Western |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 ,, |
3—18 months, 16 years; 17 years |
|
South-Eastern |
na |
na |
na |
na |
na |
na |
na |
na |
4 |
1 |
36 ,, |
0 |
|
Southern |
52 |
43 |
28 |
32 |
19 |
40 |
47 |
34 |
41 |
24 |
21 ,, |
6—5 months, 3 months, 3 months, 2 months, 1 month |
|
Western |
na |
na |
na |
na |
na |
5 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
5 |
23 ,, |
4—5 months, 5 months, 1 month, 1 month |
112.
asked the Minister for Health the number of applications that have been made to the courts to date to dispense with the consent of a natural mother to the making of an adoption order under section 3 of the Adoption Act, 1974 since the coming into force of the said Act; and the number of such applications that have been (a) granted in the High Court; (b) refused in the High Court; (c) granted on appeal by the Supreme Court having been refused by the High Court; (d) refused on appeal by the Supreme Court having been granted by the High Court and (e) the number of cases pending before the High Court and the Supreme Court.
A total of 48 applications have been made to date to the courts to dispense with the consent of a natural mother to the making of an adoption order under section 3 of the Adoption Act, 1974, since the coming into force of the said Act. Of these applications: (a) 35 were granted in the High Court; (b) three were refused in the High Court; (c) one was granted on appeal having been refused in the High Court; (d) none was refused on appeal having been granted by the High Court; (e) two are currently pending before the High Court and a reserved judgment of the High Court is awaited on another application.
Of the remaining seven applications, three were adjourned generally by the High Court and four were struck out.