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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Foreign Adoptions.

Richard Bruton

Question:

350 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the growing waiting time for couples wishing to secure foreign adoptions in having assessments completed by the health authorities; and the initiatives he is considering to deal with this problem. [8505/02]

Seán Ryan

Question:

409 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the delays in processing applications and assessments for foreign adoptions with particular reference to the Eastern Regional Health Authority area; the number of applicants awaiting assessment; and if additional resources and social workers will be provided to enable the process to be expedited. [8917/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 350 and 409 together.

I am very concerned about the delays being experienced by applicants for inter-country adoption assessment in the Eastern Regional Health Authority. The number of applicants awaiting assessment in the ERHA at the end of 2001 was 477 for first assessment and 61 for second assessment. Delays have arisen over the last few years because of an increased interest in inter-country adoption and difficulties being experienced by the South West Area Health Board, which to date has been providing this service on behalf of the three area boards, in recruiting social workers in the child care area, including inter-country adoption. The standardised framework for inter-country adoption assessment procedures is now being used in all health boards. The purpose is to streamline assessment processes for first and second assessments so that resources are used effectively and to provide a transparent system that can be understood by all of the parties. The framework has been welcomed by health boards and couples.

To reduce the time spent by couples on the waiting lists for inter-country adoption assessment in the health boards additional funding of €2,101,000 or £1,655,000 has been provided over the last four years. Almost €830,000 or £653,000 has been provided in this period to the ERHA and this has been used for the following measures: to increase significantly the number of social workers in the service – funding has been provided to raise the complement of social workers (whole time equivalent) to over 20. At the end of last year, because of ongoing difficulties over recruitment, there were only 9.5 social workers (whole time equivalent) in the service; to assign new administrative personnel to provide support for social workers. This is to free social workers to concentrate on assessments, post-placement reports and other appropriate work; a one-stop shop facility has been introduced to increase capacity for holding office-based interviews and reduce the time that social workers spend travelling to and from clients; to implement the standardised framework fully.
Discussions have been going on with the ERHA on further measures to reduce waiting times. The authority has decided that two new assessment units will be established in the northern and east coast area boards and that the present service will become the unit for the SWAHB. I am advised by the ERHA that discussions are at an advanced stage with the three area boards on the arrangements for devolving the service with a view to having the service operational. A final decision as to the exact structure for the service in the region is expected shortly. The ERHA is currently recruiting a regional co-ordinator who will support the restructuring of the service.
A letter has issued to all applicants notifying them of the impending changes to the current service and their place on the current waiting list and a further letter will be issued to all applicants informing them of any new developments as soon as possible. Subject to availability of staff, I hope that this initiative will be successful in reducing the delays currently being experienced by the couples in the region. I will continue to monitor the situation in relation to the new arrangements for the new assessment centres. In addition to the initiatives taken by the ERHA I have also recently written to the other seven health boards asking them to consider assisting the ERHA in carrying out inter-country adoption assessments. Unfortunately, none of the boards were in a position to release social workers to assist the ERHA in undertaking assessments. Some boards have indicated that they may be in a position to offer assistance to the ERHA on the organisation and delivery of preparation courses in their respective regions. This is being followed up on by the ERHA.
The ERHA has also advised that a dedicated customer services officer is being appointed in the current service. This person will deal with all customer queries and should provide improved information on the inter-country adoption process.
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