Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2012
621 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health his plans to eliminate the backlog of 15,000 cases that were transferred to the Health Service Executive from an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21441/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this issue is a matter for my colleague Minister Fitzgerald at the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, I have sourced the information from her department. Last year the HSE Regional Adoption Services agreed to take responsibility for the adoption files of the Sacred Heart Adoption Society in respect of homes in Bessborough, Co. Cork; St Peters, Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath and Sean Ross Abbey, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary and I have been advised by the Office of the National Director, Children and Family Services HSE that the files have since been transferred to the HSE in their entirety. A system has been put in place to manage all queries from the region, including former clients of Sacred Heart Adoption Society, i.e. children born in the Sacred Heart Homes (now adults) and birth mothers. Queries are being dealt with in the HSE Regional Adoption Department in order that enquirers can be offered a meeting with a social worker/counsellor to deal with requests as promptly as possible. The HSE is responding to individual queries and encourages anyone seeking their personal data to communicate directly with the HSE South Adoption Unit, St Stephens Hospital, Glanmire, Co. Cork (tel. 021 4858650).
