Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1254. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update concerning foreign adoptions, in particular the declaration of eligibility and suitability delay; if social workers may assist families applying for foreign adoptions as a matter of priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37604/13]
View answerDeclarations of eligibility and suitability (DES) to adopt which were issued under Section 63 of the Adoption Act 2010 are due to expire on 31st October 2013. Following consultation with my Department, the AAI and the HSE agreed a process whereby holders of valid Section 63 declarations, may apply to the HSE under Section 37 of the Act for an assessment review, which will not include a full assessment process. These applicants may then apply for a declaration to be issued under Section 40 of the Act.
The HSE advises that as of the 1st of March 2013 the number of DES issued under Section 63 of the Act which were still to be acted upon was 370. In March the HSE wrote to these Section 63 DES holders to invite them to apply for an assessment as part of the application for a DES which would be issued under Section 40 of the Act, and 161 of these applicants applied. The HSE social workers are prioritising theses assessments and I have been advised that there is no delay.
