Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 14 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 2

Written Answers. - Inter-Country Adoptions.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

119 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people involved in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area in carrying out assessments of people wishing to adopt foreign children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16862/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Ms Hanafin)

The current complement of social workers on the inter-country adoption team in the Eastern Regional Health Authority is as follows: one acting senior social worker, one half-time team leader post, and eight and a half social work posts.

The additional funding provided to the Eastern Regional Health Authority in 1999 and again in 2000 was aimed at the recruitment of increased social work staff. However, particular difficulties have been experienced regarding the recruitment of social workers in the Eastern Regional Health Authority. These difficulties refer to the recruitment of social workers for both adoption and child protection services. Despite other initiatives which the Eastern Regional Health Authority has taken to improve the service to applicants for inter-country adoption, the availability, recruitment and retention of appropriately qualified staff will be a key element in bringing waiting times to an acceptable level.

It is worth noting that four full-time staff and a senior social worker left the service in the latter part of 1999. The Eastern Regional Health Authority has advertised for social workers on a whole-time, part-time and sessional basis. An additional four and a half posts have been filled. As the Deputy will appreciate training and induction is required for new workers in inter-country adoption and the delivery of preparation courses for applicants. The inter-country adoption team also carry out post-placement visits and reports, follow-up report for the sending country. There are currently 130 cases on hand which require post-placement visits. The completion of post-placement reports, which arise from the number of children already adopted from abroad in the region, also places a demand on social work resources.

I am very concerned about long delays in the east and I will continue to monitor the situation closely, in particular with regard to the filling of additional social work posts.