Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 1 Jul 1999

Vol. 507 No. 4

Written Answers. - Foreign Adoptions.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

131 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people waiting for assessment for foreign adoption in each of the eight health board areas; the number waiting for assessment to adopt a second child; the average waiting time for assessment in each of the health board areas; the proposals, if any, he has to increase the number of social workers available to carry out these assessments particularly in the Eastern Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17040/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Fahey)

I am aware of the very long waiting period for intercountry adoption assessment in some health board areas. As I have stated recently in the House, I received a Government decision on Tuesday, 15 June 1999, approving the publication of the consultants' report Towards a Standardised Framework for Inter-country Adoption Assessment Procedures. The information requested by Deputy Owen is contained in the report which is with the printers at present and will be available for sale in the Government Publications Office in the next week or so. I do not wish to comment further in the matter at this point in time but I will make a statement on the report once it has been published. I will also ensure that Deputy Owen receives a copy of the report as soon as it becomes available.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

132 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the case made by a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow in relation to adoption assessment proceedings; if he has satisfied himself that the experience she described is appropriate and necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17046/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Fahey)

I have requested a report from the Eastern Health Board in this case and I will write to Deputy McManus when I receive the report. The manner in which a number of sensitive issues, including infertility, should be handled in the assessment process have been addressed in the consultancy report Towards a Standardised Framework for Inter-country Adoption Assessment Procedures. The report is with the printers at present and will be available for sale in the Government Publications Office in the very near future. I will also make a statement in the matter as soon as the report is published.