The umbrella term of domestic adoption encompasses a number of different types of adoption, including a very small number of infant placements with non-familial applicants, step-parent/family adoptions and the adoption of children in long term foster care by their foster parents. The domestic adoption process in all of its forms is inherently complex due to a variety of factors including constitutional and legal requirements in relation to the placement of children, the requirement to consult birth fathers and consent requirements. Each individual case presents a unique set of circumstances and issues to be addressed. For this reason it is not possible to provide any reliable average length of time for the process. However, the HSE estimates that the process may take up to 8 months, depending on the individual circumstances of the case. I have been advised by the Adoption Authority of Ireland that in 2010 there were 153 applications received and 189 Orders made for domestic adoptions. In 2011 there were 47 applications and 39 Orders made for domestic adoptions.