I propose to take Questions Nos. 153, 174 and 175 together.
I am very concerned about the delays being experienced by applicants for intercountry adoption assessment in the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA. The number of applicants awaiting assessment in the ERHA at the end of 2001 is 477 for first assessment and 61 for second assessment. Delays have arisen in recent years because of an increased interest in intercountry 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 intercountry adoption.