John Bruton
Ceist:122 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the delays in approving a social worker's report for persons (details supplied) in County Meath who wish to adopt a baby from overseas.
Written Answers. - Adoption Procedures.
In accordance with the new statutory procedures set out in the Adoption Act, 1991, a suitability assessment for a proposed foreign adoption may only be carried out by a health board or a registered adoption society and must be approved by the Adoption Board. An assessment carried out by a social worker acting in a private capacity is not acceptable for the purposes of the new procedures.
I understand that the Adoption Board have circulated guidelines to the adoption agencies indicating that the standard of suitability assessment for a foreign adoption should be equivalent to that applicable in the case of an Irish adoption. The Deputy will appreciate therefore that it will take some time for a health board to complete such an assessment.
With regard to the particular case referred to by the Deputy, I understand that the North Eastern Health Board are currently putting in place arrangements for an efficient and effective foreign adoption assessment process. The couple concerned have been informed of the position by the health board, who are arranging an information day for all of the people who have requested it to assess them for a foreign adoption.