Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1270. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the average age of applicants for the adoption of children when first granted an adoption broken down by Health Service Executive region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38761/13]
View answerI am advised by the Adoption Authority of Ireland that there is a significant difference between the average ages of domestic adopters compared to those adopting from outside the State. Since the enactment of the Adoption Act, 2010 (1 November 2010), adopters within Ireland have all been aged between 35-45 years (100%), while the majority of applicants adopting from abroad are aged between 40-51 years (73.3%). The figures show that 40.7% of people who undertake intercountry adoption are over the age of 45 years, while there are no domestic adopters in this age group. Furthermore, a small number of adopters from abroad are aged over 50 (5.4%).
