Seán Ryan
Question:226 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding the application by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin for an inter-country adoption assessment by the Eastern Health Board. [14858/99]
Written Answers. - Inter-Country Adoptions.
Brian O'Shea
Question:260 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to provide extra staff to deal with the crisis in the South Eastern Health Board in the matter of home study reports for couples who wish to avail of foreign adoptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15074/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 260 together.
The position regarding individual applications for inter-country assessment is a matter for the relevant health board and I have forwarded Deputy Ryan's question to the Eastern Health Board for direct reply in this instance.
With regard to Deputy O'Shea's question, the position, in the South Eastern Health Board, as outlined by me to the House on 1 June 1999 remains unchanged and will be addressed in the context of the implementation of the recommendations of the consultancy report on assessment procedures in inter-country adoption. The report was submitted to Government today for a decision on publication and funding. It contains many recommendations which will have the effect of streamlining and standardising the assessment process thus achieving greater efficiencies and a much higher output of assessments.