Finian McGrath
Question:203 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the options open to a person (details supplied). [20823/12]
View answerWednesday, 25 April 2012
Questions (202)
Written answers
Issues relating to the level of fees charged by an accredited body are a matter for the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) and are covered in some detail by the Adoption Act 2010 (Accredited Bodies) Regulations 2010. These regulations set out the standards which must be met by accredited bodies in order to satisfy the requirements of the Adoption Authority under the Adoption Act, 2010 (No. 21 of 2010) for entry in the register of accredited bodies.
The regulations set out, inter alia, the requirement for any body applying for accreditation to include in its Memorandum and Articles of Association that it is to be solely concerned with assisting in the adoption process on a not for profit basis. The regulations also set out a range of provisions in relation to financial reporting, fees and charges, including a provision that an accredited body shall submit to the Authority for prior approval its schedule of fees and any subsequent increases in fees or additions to the schedule.
It is a matter for the agency involved to work with each applicant during the adoption process having regard to the level of services required from the agency on an individual basis. My Department has brought the issue raised by the Deputy to the attention of the Adoption Authority.