Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 June 2016
673. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the average cost of an adoption, using the most recently available figures, from January to December of that year. [14378/16]
View answerThere is no fee payable to either the Adoption Authority of Ireland or Tusla, by prospective adoptive parents for making an application for a domestic adoption. However, costs may be incurred by applicants during the process for the procurement of certificates, swearing of documents, legal advice and court applications where necessary.
The accreditation of an agency to provide services in relation to facilitating intercountry adoptions is regulated by the Adoption Authority of Ireland. Currently, Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency is accredited by the Adoption Authority of Ireland for this purpose. This agency has approval from the Adoption Authority of Ireland to charge applicants a common programme fee of €6,500 per application. The fee applies to the Irish costs for intercountry adoption and covers overheads and costs incurred by the agency. These costs include: staffing, insurance, rent, transmission of assessment reports and client support. In addition to the common programme fee, each country has its own specific fees, which vary for each country. Details of the fees for each country can be obtained at http://www.helpinghands.ie.
