Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
971. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Adoption Authority of Ireland is adequately trained to deal with and respond to distressed calls from parents who are unable to adopt due to the barriers now put in place from the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13665/14]
View answerThe Adoption Authority of Ireland signalled its intentions with regard to the ratification of the Hague Convention for quite some time before its ratification in November 2010 through its website notices, its Annual Report and through public fora with which it engaged. It also briefed the adoption support groups on its intentions in this regard. The Authority has been dealing with callers throughout the transition period and has sought to explain in an empathetic way the direction which the adoption process was taking and has also endeavoured to keep them updated on any significant developments.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Adoption Authority of Ireland is a regulatory body whose statutory functions are prescribed by legislation and while the Authority is always mindful of the stresses and emotional issues which face prospective adoptive parents, it is not charged with the responsibility of counselling applicants on adoption matters. This task would be seen as part of the assessment and follow up process provided by the Child and Family Agency. However, the Authority does have a number of professional Social Workers among its staff who can be called upon, when necessary to deal with those applicants who require professional support.
