Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 1994

Vol. 437 No. 6

Written Answers. - Adoption Procedures.

Avril Doyle

Question:

540 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he will take to reduce the length of time couples applying to the Eastern Health Board to adopt now have to wait before an assessment commences; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Richard Bruton

Question:

544 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in the Eastern Health Board, couples seeking to have foreign adoptions are now obliged to wait a minimum of 14 months before an assessment commences as a result of the limited capacity of the Board to deal with assessments and the long waiting list; and the proposals, if any, he has to deal with this unsatisfactory situation.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 544 together.

I am very much aware of the delays being experienced by prospective adoptive parents living in the Eastern Health Board area in having their applications for assessment processed. I fully appreciate their anxiety to have their assessments started as quickly as possible.

I have been informed by the Eastern Health Board that steady progress is being made in reducing the average waiting time for the commencement of assessments. It is currently 12 months and the health board is working towards eliminating the backlog by the end of this year.

In responding to requests for foreign adoption assessments, the health board must have regard to the competing demands for services in the child care area, particularly in relation to the investigation of child abuse cases which must take priority over all other work. While allowing for this, I have to say that I am not entirely satisfied with the situation and I am in contact with the chief executive officer of the health board to see what can be done to improve the position.