Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Jul 1992

Vol. 421 No. 9

Written Answers. - Adoption Procedure.

Ivor Callely

Question:

101 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the unacceptable waiting periods married couples experience who have applied to registered adoption societies in order to have a child placed with them for adoption; if he will have his Department, or the adoption board, compile information on (a) the numbers of adoption requests, (b) the number of cases approved, (c) the period of assessment, (d) the waiting time for approval (e) the waiting period for a child and (f) the age of adoptive parents; if he agrees that such information will be very beneficial; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

In recent years there has been a steady decline in the number of children being placed for adoption. This is evidenced by the fact that the number of adoption orders has fallen from 1,191 in 1981 to 648 in 1990. There are now far more people wishing to adopt than there are children available for adoption and the unfortunate result is that prospective adoptive parents are having to wait longer before a child is placed with them. I fully appreciate that this is a time of great anxiety and uncertainty for the couples concerned and I have every sympathy for them.

The information requested by the Deputy is not collected, as a matter of routine, by my Department or by the Adoption Board. The long waiting periods being experienced by prospective adopters are directly related to the continuing decline in the number of children being given up for adoption and the collection of the information in question will have no impact on the situation.

The annual reports of the Adoption Board contain useful information about adoption placements which might be of interest to the Deputy. I am arranging to have a copy of the most recent report published by the board forwarded to the Deputy.