Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 6

Written Answers. - Adoption Services.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

442 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the procedures in place in the Eastern Health Board area in relation to the assessment for suitability to adopt abroad; his views on whether it is satisfactory for the Eastern Health Board to require on average 41 hours of meetings and courses compared to an average of ten hours in the other seven health board areas; his views on whether couples adopting for a second time should be subject to virtually the same process; if he has satisfied himself that adequate resources are made available to the Eastern Health Board in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8962/98]

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 that 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 allocation of additional resources and to greater efficiencies in the overall process of application.

As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the Eastern Health Bord includes attendance at preparatory courses as part of its overall assessment process and this adds to the duration of the actual assessment. However, the board has found that these courses have been of enormous benefit to both prospective adoptive parents and social workers.

There are a number of additional matters which must be taken into account in the assessment of a couple wishing to adopt for a second time. However, I have noted Deputy Stagg's concerns on this issue. I intend to meet with the Eastern Health Board again in the near future with a view to discussing the overall assessment process including the issues outlined by Deputy Stagg.