Difficulties have arisen in inter-country adoption assessment waiting times due to increased demand for assessment combined with problems in recruiting social workers. Efforts are being made to deal with the current shortage of social workers by recruiting internationally and by increasing the number of training places nationally.
Over the last four years additional funding of €2,101,000 has been allocated to assist the health boards improve the service and reduce waiting times. During 1999 a standardised framework for inter-country adoption assessment was introduced to streamline assessments and to provide a transparent system centred on the child's best interests and respectful to all the parties involved. The framework, which is being used in all health boards has been welcomed by the boards and couples.