Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012
671 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide a report on a recent trip by the Adoption Authority of Ireland to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia; if she will state the progress that was made by the delegation; if she will outline the outcome of discussions between the various parties; if she will outline the next step in the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20136/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdoptions from Ethiopia, effected under the transitional arrangements provided for in the Adoption Act 2010, are ongoing and are currently being examined, and recognised, by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI). These transitional arrangements may lead to adoptions from Ethiopia taking place up to the end of October 2012. The Adoption Act 2010 also contains provision for a one year extension to declarations of eligibility and suitability to adopt which may lead to a one year extension to this date.
Ethiopia is not a signatory of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. In these circumstances, adoptions from Ethiopia which are not covered by the transitional arrangements referred to above would require a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Ethiopia. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010 which states that "t he Authority, with the prior consent of the Minister, may enter into discussions with any non-contracting state concerning the possibility of the Government entering into a bilateral agreement with that State.” Any bilateral arrangements which might be entered into would be required by law to meet the minimum standards set out in the Hague Convention.
A delegation from the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) visited Ethiopia earlier this month and held exploratory meetings with the Ethiopian authorities regarding the system of adoption which operates in that country. The delegation, in the course of its visit, held preliminary discussions with the Ethiopian authorities around the potential for a bilateral on intercountry adoption. The AAI is currently preparing a report for me on its assessment of the situation which will inform the next steps to be taken.
672 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs how she intends to ensure that the work of the Adoption Authority can continue in view of the reduction in its workforce in recent times; if her attention has been drawn to concerns among those interested in the adoptive process that cutbacks during a transition period for the authority could challenge its ability to fulfil its remit; if she will consider allocating resources to the authority to assist it during this transitional phase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20137/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from my Department are currently engaged in discussions with the new Chief Executive Officer of the Adoption Authority of Ireland to determine the most appropriate future staffing and organisational structure for the Authority having regard to its statutory obligations under the Adoption Act 2010. I expect these discussions to be concluded in the near future, following which proposals will be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration.
