asked the Minister for Health the number of applications made to the High Court pursuant to section 3 of the Adoption Act, 1974; the number of such cases determined to date; the number currently outstanding; and the number of these which have an order made (a) dispensing with a necessary consent and (b) such an order refused.
Written Answers. - Adoption Applications to the High Court.
204.
A total of 50 such applications have been made to the High Court. All of the applications have been determined. An order dispensing with the necessary consent was made by the High Court in respect of 38 applications. One order was made on appeal by the Supreme Court. Five applications were refused by the High Court. This includes one application in which an order was made on appeal by the Supreme Court. Seven applications were adjourned generally or struck out.