Jim Mitchell
Question:68 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the situation in relation to delays in assessing applications for foreign adoptions. [25557/01]
Written Answers. - Foreign Adoptions.
Joe Higgins
Question:174 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Health and Children when the proposal to increase the number of inter-country adoption assessment units in the Eastern Regional Health Authority from one to three will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25801/01]
Joe Higgins
Question:175 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will take immediate measures to clear the backlog of people waiting to be assessed for intercountry adoptions. [25802/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 174 and 175 together.
On 3 October 2001, in reply to a parliamentary question, reference 21086/01, I outlined to the House the measures which are being taken by the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the three area boards to reduce the waiting time for intercountry adoption in the region. It is expected that the two new units in the Northern and East Coast Area Health Boards will be fully operational by March 2002. I will continue to monitor the situation in relation to these new arrangements and anticipate that this initiative will be successful in dealing with the delays currently being experienced by the couples in the region.