The report, Towards a Standardised Framework for Inter-country Adoption Assessment Procedures to which I have referred previously in detail in the House examined the applications for assessment which were processed to completion in 1998. I would refer the Deputy to extracts of table 4.12, length of time between receipt of application and allocation to social worker and 4.13, length of time between allocation of social worker and commencement of assessment. The data demonstrates the waiting periods for assessment for inter-country adoption in 1998.
I have previously outlined to the House details of the additional £500,000 which was allocated to inter-country adoption services in 1999. A sum of £213,000 of the total was allocated to the Eastern Health Board. In addition, I have recently outlined to the House the initiatives which that board has taken to improve the service for applicants for inter-country adoption which will assist in reducing both the waiting period for assessment to commence and the assessment itself, in addition to the recruitment of additional social workers. I would refer the Deputy to my previous reply in the House of 11 November 1999 in this regard.