Vol. 548 No. 3
167 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 216 and 217 of 5 February 2002, there are restrictions, up to the age of 18, on the age of a child who can be adopted from the UK by persons (details supplied) in Dublin 6W. [5030/02]
The Adoption Board is an independent statutory body with responsibility for the administration of the Adoption Acts, 1952-1998. The Deputy will appreciate that I am therefore not in a position to comment on specific cases. I have been advised by the Adoption Board that the approval to adopt abroad, i.e. the declarations of eligibility and suitability which are issued by the board are not country specific and do not lay down any restrictions in relation to the age of the child who may be adopted. However inter-country assessment reports usually include a recommendation with regard to the age of a child which prospective adopters would have the capacity to parent. These reports are sent with the declarations of eligibility and suitability and are used by the authorities in sending countries when matching a child with prospective adopters to ensure the best interests of the child are met. Questions concerning the adoption laws of the United Kingdom should be addressed to the appropriate Government authority there with responsibility for this area, which I understand is the Department of Health in most instances. Should the Deputy require any further assistance in this regard, I am sure the Adoption Board would be happy to help.
