Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 31 Mar 1998

Vol. 489 No. 3

Written Answers. - Foreign Adoptions.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

170 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, which have been taken as a result of discussions held between his Department's officials and officials of the Eastern Health Board to alleviate the long delays in commencing foreign adoption assessments experienced by prospective adopters in the Eastern Health Board region in comparison with prospective adopters in other health board regions; if, in practice, the Eastern Health Board deals with all applications for foreign adoption assessment in strict numerical order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8123/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Fahey)

I met senior management of the Eastern Health Board last year to discuss the delays in carrying out assessments of couples who wished to adopt children from abroad. I am pleased to inform the House that arising from the additional funding approved to the Eastern Health Board for child care services in 1998 the board has proposed, in its 1998 service plan, the appointment of three new social workers to its adoption service. This will facilitate a speedier assessment of couples who wish to adopt children abroad.

I understand the current waiting time prior to assessment in the Eastern Health Board is 12 months; a reduction of two months on 1997. This reduction can be accounted for by the addition of one further social work post and to greater efficiencies in the overall process of application.

I understand applications for assessments by prospective adopters in the Eastern Health Board area are dealt with in strict numerical order.