Vol. 440 No. 7
260 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties still being experienced by adoptive couples in relation to the Eastern Health Board for foreign adoptions; and if he intends to make more resources available for foreign adoption.
I am aware of the delays being experienced by prospective adoptive parents living in the Eastern Health Board area in having their applications for assessment processed. My Department is in ongoing contact with the health board in relation to the situation.
The health board is continuing to make progress in reducing the average waiting time for the commencement of assessments. It is committed to reducing this to six months by early May and to eliminating the backlog altogether by the end of the year. The EHB has assured me that, if necessary, it will provide additional resources to ensure that these targets are achieved. My Department will continue to monitor the situation closely.
