I am informed by the Adoption Board that the China Centre of Adoption Affairs has advised that it is reviewing procedures for dealing with inter-country adoption applications from all receiving countries, including Ireland. One of the issues raised by the centre was the preparation of post-placement reports which is an important part of the adoption process. Sending countries generally use these reports to evaluate how their children are settling into families in receiving countries. I understand that the China Centre of Adoption Affairs has informed the Adoption Board that it will suspend adoptions between China and other countries unless it receives all outstanding post-placement reports by 31 March 2002. The Adoption Board has written to the relevant adoptive parents as well as health boards and agencies and set a deadline of 28 February 2002 for the receipt of completed reports. I have also written to the health boards to secure their co-operation in meeting the deadline. There are 12 reports outstanding and I have been advised by the Adoption Board that it has been assured that all reports will be forwarded in time for transmission to China. I will continue to monitor the situation in relation to the post-placement reports.
The China Centre of Adoption Affairs has also decided to impose a quota system with regard to the number of adoption applications that will be accepted from each receiving country during 2002. Ireland has been granted an exemption from the quota system for the year 2002 in respect of applications from married couples. However, in relation to sole applicants a quota system is being imposed. The applications from sole applicants in 2002 should only account for five per cent of total applications sent from Ireland. In 1998, the Adoption Board and the Chinese authorities agreed on working arrangements to facilitate the adoption of Chinese children by Irish residents. I am advised by the Adoption Board that there are no indications that the adoption agreement will be suspended. The board received five referrals from China on 8 February 2002. The Adoption Board and I are satisfied with the very positive working arrangements between ourselves and China. I met with the Chinese Ambassador for a working lunch before Christmas to discuss the working arrangements and I also attended a Christmas party at the Embassy for children adopted from China.
