My predecessor, Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, has outlined in detail the work of the Department and the group established to oversee the implementation of the report "Towards a Standardised Framework of Inter-country Adoption Assessment Procedures". Its work has already ensured that the first stage of the assessment process is being implemented according to the new model since the beginning of the year. In addition, a range of initiatives are taking place country-wide to meet the specific priorities which are particular to the different boards intercountry adoption services.
An additional £26,000 has was allocated to the South Eastern Health Board in 1999 and an additional £48,000 in 2000 in respect of developing intercountry adoption services in the board's region. At the 1 of January 2000 there were 58 applicants on the waiting list of which 20 were in the Carlow/Kilkenny catchment area. From information received from the health board I understand that a competition has been held for a social worker post specifically for the Carlow/Kilkenny area of the adoption service and an appointment is imminent. Two additional posts for the regional adoption services are due to be advertised shortly. The board has also informed me that a child care manager has been given responsibility for the co-ordination of the new training elements involved in the standardised framework. This is the first stage in implementation of the framework which will ultimately ensure a more streamlined processing of applicants for assessment.
Adoption services in the South Eastern Health Board area are provided by SEEK Regional Adoption Services which forms part of the board's community care programme. In addition to the priorities identified in the report on the standardised framework, the South Eastern Health Board has carried out a review of the regional adoption service. The report of this review is due to be presented to the committee of SEEK this week and I have been advised that it contains proposals regarding the organisation and staffing of the service.
I am satisfied that with these initiatives the board is doing its utmost to streamline the assessment process and increase throughput of applications. Together with an increased complement of social workers these measures should bring about a significant increase in the number of assessments being completed in the board in the year 2000.
