Vol. 493 No. 5
155 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will establish an emergency review group to deal with delays in adoption assessments and procedures being used for assessment of couples adopting for the second time. [16606/98]
156 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will establish an emergency review group to deal with delays in adoption assessments and procedures. [16607/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.
As I have explained to the House on numerous occasions recently, the main difficulties being experienced in relation to delays in adoption assessment procedures relate to the Eastern Health Board area. I am in touch with the board in this matter on an ongoing basis and as I outlined to the House two weeks ago, the waiting time for applicants is now down to approximately 12 months. In addition, three new social workers have been assigned to the boards inter country adoption team which should further reduce the delays being experienced by those awaiting assessment.
The assessment procedure being used by the boards in respect of couples adopting for the second time is an operational matter. However, I have raised the issue with the Eastern Health Board in particular and I will continue to keep in touch with it in this matter. I have no plans to establish a review group to deal with these issues.
