Vol. 503 No. 5
8 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health and Children if the group inquiring into the adoption assessment procedures used by health boards in assessing the suitability of couples for foreign adoption has advertised for submissions from prospective adopters on their experiences, interviewed any of those who have applied for this assessment or sought their views and input. [7769/99]
23 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if the review being undertaken of assessment procedures applied by health boards to determine the suitability of couples for foreign adoptions has been completed; if not, when it will be completed; if it is intended to publish the report of the review group; and if he will issue assessment guidelines to ensure a uniformity of approach on the part of health board social workers within each health board. [7768/99]
24 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the assessment arrangements for parents who wish to adopt children; the average delay in different health boards for those seeking these assessments; and the proposals, if any, he has to minimise these delays. [10426/99]
97 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if the review being undertaken of assessment procedures applied by health boards to determine the suitability of couples for foreign adoptions has been completed; if not, when it will be completed; if it is intended to publish the report of the review group; and if he will issue assessment guidelines to ensure a uniformity of approach on the part of health board social workers within each health board. [10488/99]
98 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if the group inquiring into the adoption assessment procedures used by health boards in assessing the suitability of couples for foreign adoption has advertised for submissions from prospective adopters on their experiences, interviewed any of those who have applied for such an assessment or assessed to obtain their views and input. [10489/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 23, 24, 97 and 98 together.
I have commissioned an independent consultancy to review the foreign adoption assessment procedures in the eight health boards with the aim of ensuring that an efficient and standardised assessment procedure which accords with best practice in the field operates across the country while at the same time having regard to the priority that must be attached to other areas of the child care services.
A draft report was submitted to my Department last month and was referred to the advisory committee established to oversee the consultancy. The advisory committee met to discuss the draft report and subsequently met the consultants. I expect to receive the final report at the end of this month. The report contains detailed descriptive and statistical information such as that sought by Deputy O'Keeffe. I am looking forward to reading the report and examining its recommendations in detail before commenting further in the matter. I intend making the report widely available.
In regard to the views of prospective adopters, I understand that the consultants did not advertise for submissions but that a sample of 60 couples whose assessments were completed during 1998 were contacted through the Adoption Board, requesting that they provide their views on the assessment process on an anonymous basis. Interviews were also held with a number of individuals who had adopted a child from abroad and who contacted the researchers on their own initiative. The main stakeholders from whom data were collected by way of interview, questionnaire, etc., included the Adoption Board, the health boards and organisations representing adoptive parents and inter country adopters, birth mothers and adoptees.
In view of the obvious defect in the way in which it conducted its business and did not seek submissions from members of the public who have been affected, will he make arrangements for his Department to advertise for submissions between now and presentation of the final report, so that their views can be properly furnished rather than on the basis of some sampling procedure? Will the Minister give an indication of the length of delays in the different health boards? Is it not the case that the Minister has previously furnished to the House information which suggests there are extremely long delays in the Eastern Health Board, where many of the applications are made? Is it not also the case that parents who are adopting for a second time have to go through the same procedure again with the same lengthy delay? Will the Minister be more forthcoming in his reply and advertise for submissions because many of those people want the Minister to be aware of their concerns?
I am fully aware of their concerns and I have had submissions from many people who are dissatisfied with the manner in which they have been treated by health boards. I do not propose to advertise for submissions as that would delay the whole process. We decided to proceed with submissions from a sample of 60 couples whose assessments were completed in 1998. Many other people have submitted their views on the matter. We are fully aware of the difficulties in the Eastern Health Board. Action has been taken to right those difficulties. I am satisfied that the action which will be taken on foot of the report will result in a much improved assessment procedure.
The timescales for assessment have fallen dramatically. The Eastern Health Board which had a major problem now has a waiting period of nine to 12 months. The Southern Health Board also had a major problem. Extra social workers have been appointed to both health boards as a result of increased funding. The waiting period for adoption assessment is less than 12 months.
I am satisfied we have tackled the problem and are making progress towards ensuring prospective adopters have their assessments carried out in a reasonable period. There is a need for a rigorous assessment of adoption in the context of overall priorities where social work requirements are given priority over adoption.
