Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Foreign Adoptions.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

644 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the reasons for the delays in the Dublin area for parents interested in foreign adoptions; if the assessment process can be speeded up; the numbers of social workers involved; the number of parents waiting; the length and detail of the assessment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2305/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I am very concerned about the delays being experienced by applicants for inter-country adoption assessment in the Eastern Regional Health Authority. Delays have arisen over the last few years because of an increased interest in inter-country adoption and difficulties being experienced by the South West Area Health board, which to date has been providing this service on behalf of the three area boards, in recruiting social workers in the child care area, including inter-country adoption. The standardised framework for inter-country adoption assessment procedures is now being used in all health boards. The purpose is to streamline assessment processes for first and second assessments so that resources are used effectively and to provide a transparent system that can be understood by all of the parties. The framework has been welcomed by both health boards and couples.

To reduce time spent by couples on waiting lists for inter-country adoption assessment in the ERHA, additional funding of almost 830,000 or £653,000 has been provided over the last four years on the following measures: to increase significantly the number of social workers in the service – funding has been provided to raise the complement of social workers, whole time equivalent, to over 20. At the end of last year, because of ongoing difficulties over recruitment, there were only 9.5 social workers, whole time equivalent, in the service; to assign new administrative personnel to provide support for social workers. This is to free up social workers to concentrate on assessments, post-placement reports and other appropriate work; a one-stop shop facility has been introduced to increase capacity for holding office based interviews and reduce the time that social workers spend travelling to and from clients; to implement fully the standardised framework.

Discussions have been ongoing with the ERHA on further measures to address the problem. The authority has decided that two new assessment units will be established in the Northern and East Coast area boards and that the present service will become the unit for the SWAHB. I am advised by the ERHA that it is involved in ongoing discussions with the three area boards on the arrangements for devolving the service with a view to having the service operational as soon as possible and that a letter has issued to all applicants notifying them of the impending changes to the current service and their place on the current waiting list. The ERHA is currently recruiting a regional co-ordinator who will support the restructuring of the service. I will continue to monitor the situation in relation to the new arrangements for the new assessment centres and anticipate that this initiative will be successful in dealing with the delays currently being experienced by the couples in the region.

My Department collects statistics from each of the health boards in respect of inter-country adoption at the end of every quarter. The most recent data which I have included below, as requested by the Deputy, refers to the end of 2001:

–The duration of assessment in the SWAHB is currently 8-9 months for first assessment and 3-4 months for second assessment. The Deputy refers to speeding up the process and while every effort is being made to reduce the waiting time before assessment begins the duration of the assessment itself in the SWAHB is within the suggested average duration of assessment in the framework.

–The number of applications awaiting assessment at the end of last year is 477 for first-time applicants and 61 for second-time applicants. I am advised by the ERHA that the number of assessments completed rose from 85 in 2000 to 137 in 2001.

–In addition to the initiatives taken by the ERHA I have also recently written to the other seven health boards asking them to consider assisting the ERHA in carrying out inter-country adoption assessments. Unfortunately none of the boards were in a position to release social workers to assist the ERHA in undertaking inter-country adoption assessments. Some boards have indicated that they may be in a position to offer assistance to the ERHA on the organisation and delivery of preparation courses in their respective regions. This is being followed up on by the ERHA.