John Perry
Question:132 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he will take to substantially reduce waiting times for inter-country adoptions. [24507/00]
Written Answers. - Adoption Service.
In July, 2000 the group charged with implementing the recommendations of the report Towards a Standardised Framework for Intercountry Adoption Assessment Procedures presented me with a report on progress on implementation at national level and in each of the health boards. I am making a copy of this report available to the Deputy. I bring to the Deputy's attention chapter 6 of the report which highlights that the duration of assessment has already been reduced.
Statistics collected from the health boards at the end of September 2000 indicate that the projected waiting times in some of the boards with the longest waiting times have been reduced in the interim. This is as a result of initiatives taken by the boards in relation to the recruitment of additional social work staff and the efficiencies arising from the introduction of the standardised framework for intercountry adoption assessment. In particular, the Eastern Regional Health Authority, whose service for the three area boards is provided by the South West Area Health Board, has reduced from 36-42 months projected waiting time in June 2000 to 24-36 months in September 2000. In the Mid-Western Health Board area the projected waiting time for assessment has reduced from 30 months in June 2000 to 18-20 months in September 2000. In addition, the overall waiting list has reduced from 1056 at the end of June to 1002 at the end of September. While this data has not been adjusted to reflect any seasonal variations in the number of applications they seem to indicate that the waiting lists are being shortened and that the excessive waiting times being experienced by applicants in some boards are being reduced. I am satisfied that the initiatives already taken have brought about improvements and that this trend will continue.