Vol. 486 No. 2
23 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date by his Department in negotiations with the Eastern Health Board in order to reduce the level of delay in the processing of applications for foreign adoption; and the additional funding, if any, which has been provided by his Department to provide additional social workers to carry out family assessments. [2097/98]
50 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, made by his Department in negotiations with the Eastern Health Board in order to reduce the level of delay in the processing of applications for foreign adoption; and the additional funding, if any, which has been provided by his Department to provide additional social workers to carry out required family assessments. [2048/98]
56 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, made by his Department in negotiations with the Eastern Health Board in order to reduce the level of delay in the processing of applications for foreign adoption; and the additional funding, if any, which has been provided by his Department to provide additional social workers to carry out required family assessments. [2050/98]
63 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, made by his Department in negotiations with the Eastern Health Board in order to reduce the level of delay in the processing of applications for foreign adoption; and the additional funding, if any, which has been provided by his Department to provide additional social workers to carry out required family assessments. [2049/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 50, 56 and 63 together.
I met senior management of the Eastern Health Board last year to discuss the delays in carrying out assessments of couples who wished to adopt children from abroad. I am pleased to inform the House that arising from the additional funding approved to the Eastern Health Board for child care services in 1998 the board has proposed, in its 1998 service plan, the appointment of three new social workers to its adoption service. This will facilitate a speedier assessment of couples who wish to adopt children abroad. The service plan is being examined at present by my Department.
