Vol. 483 No. 1
182 Ms M. Fox asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will have investigations made into the delay in assessing persons (details supplied) in County Wicklow for adoption in view of the fact that other health boards can assess similar situations without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19770/97]
The Adoption Act, 1991 imposed a statutory duty on health boards to carry out, as soon as practicable, assessments for foreign adoptions. In carrying out this function, the boards must have regard to the competing demands in other areas of the child care services, particularly in relation to the protection of children from abuse and neglect, which takes priority over all other work.
However, that said, I understand that prospective adopters in the Eastern Health Board area are experiencing delays in having adoptions assessments commenced in comparison with applicants in other boards. Officials of my Department are currently engaged in discussion with the Eastern Health Board to ascertain the measures, if any, which can be taken to alleviate the delay and with a view to allocating extra resources to expedite the assessment process.
Individual cases are a matter for the Eastern Health Board and I will have the details of the case referred to by the Deputy passed on to the chief executive of the board for direct reply.
However, I understand that applications for assessments by prospective adopters in the Eastern Health Board area are dealt with in strict numerical order.
I am now making arrangements to expedite assessments for foreign adoptions in the Eastern Health Board's area.
