Vol. 574 No. 2
289 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if the funding allocated under the heading services for people trying to trace parents following adoption and in need of counselling has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26652/03]
290 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children when the necessary funding will be made available to the Southern Health Board to continue the invaluable service which was provided by St. Anne's Adoption Society to people wishing to trace parents after adoption. [26653/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 290 together.
The Southern Health Board provided grant aid to St. Anne's Adoption Society to maintain semi-open adoptions of under-age children and assess potential domestic adopters on a contractual basis for the board. This grant aid of €17,458.90 per quarter was paid to St. Anne's until the society closed in September 2003. These resources are now being used by the board to provide these services.
St. Anne's also provided a tracing service for adult adopted people which was organised and funded within the society itself. When St. Anne's closed in September, there was a waiting time of approximately two years for this service and approximately 30 cases of adopted people wishing to trace natural relatives transferred to the board for a tracing service.
A researcher previously employed by St. Anne's is now working with the board on a six month contract and, among other things, is evaluating the work involved in maintaining the level of service provided by St. Anne's. The tracing and reunion service is being funded from within existing health board resources.
