Vol. 514 No. 2
90 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications pending assessment for foreign adoptions in the Eastern Health Board; the reason for the delay in carrying out these assessments in this board area; and if he will second social workers from other health boards to speed up to process. [3858/00]
I refer the Deputy to replies given in the House on 23 November, 14 December, 1999 and 27 January last in relation to the waiting times for assessment for inter-country adoption. I can reiterate the points which have already been made. An additional £213,000 was allocated to the Eastern Health Board in mid 1999 following the publication of the report Towards a Standardised Framework for Inter-country Adoption Assessment Procedures. A further £236,000 has been allocated in respect of 2000. The total additional funding for the Eastern Health Board over this period therefore amounts to £449,000 which represents almost a doubling of the budget for inter-country adoption services in the region.
The board has advised that the standardised framework approach, set out in the report on assessment procedures, will be commencing this month through the provision of the new format preparation courses. In addition, the board has made arrangements for the provision of improved accommodation, information technology and administrative support for intercountry adoption services. These initiatives should help to streamline the assessment process and increase throughput. Together with an increased complement of social workers these measures should bring about a significant increase in the number of assessments being completed in the board in 2000.
