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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 1

Written Answers. - Foreign Adoptions.

Monica Barnes

Question:

105 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether the procedure in place for reviewing applications for foreign adoptions is humane, compassionate, fair and efficient. [5837/02]

There are two issues to which the Deputy may be referring.

When a couple wishes to be considered for suitability for foreign adoption they approach their local health board which then assesses them. Assessments in all health boards are carried out in line with the national standardised framework for assessment for inter-country adoption launched in 1999.

The standardised framework was developed based on experience in Ireland and best practice internationally. It aims to ensure that at all times in the process the welfare of the child is the primary consideration. At the same time it supports the prospective adoptive parents through preparation and the assessment process. The framework has been welcomed by health boards and couples. Over the past three years additional funding of over €2 million or £1,655,000 has been allocated to inter-country adoption assessment aimed at reducing time spent by couples on waiting lists. There are still difficulties in some health board areas because of the difficulty being experienced in recruiting social workers at present.

When the assessment stage has been completed the health board makes a recommendation to the Adoption Board. Applications for approval to adopt abroad, as well as a review of such applications, are then dealt with by the Adoption Board which is an independent statutory agency.

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