Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004
248 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Health and Children if the restriction on adoptive parents being 40 years or younger is an absolute policy; and the circumstances which apply when this policy is not in operation. [21135/04]
View answerAssessments for intercountry and domestic adoptions are carried out by health boards or by adoption societies registered with the adoption board. The purpose of the assessment process is to determine whether applicants are suitable to adopt a child. While there are no legal provisions in relation to upper age limits for either domestic or intercountry adoption, an applicant's age may be taken into consideration in the context of the assessment as one of a number of factors determining the applicant's capacity to look after the child throughout his or her childhood and to maintain an ongoing and meaningful relationship with their child.
