Vol. 485 No. 3
215 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department has issued guidelines to health boards in relation to the processing of applications for foreign adoptions; the reason the assessment process varies between the health boards; if his attention has been drawn to the need for additional resources to be provided for this service in view of the distress caused by delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23421/97]
Health boards administer the processing of applications for adoption, both foreign and domestic, in line with the provisions of the Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1991. The waiting period for assessment can vary from one board to another due to differing levels of interest in adoption and other demands being made on the social work service in the area of child protection and welfare.
The delay in the processing of applications for adoption is most acute in the Eastern Health Board area. Officials in my Department are in discussions with the board, with a view to reducing the level of delay.
