Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012
572 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding arrangements between this country and Vietnam for inter-country adoptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24947/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption entered into force for Vietnam on 1 February 2012. The ratification of the Hague Convention by Vietnam, the associated changes in Vietnamese law and the arrangements being put in place to support on the ground implementation represent significant changes in the inter-country adoption regime in that country.
Under section 72 of the Adoption Act 2010, the Adoption Authority may enter into administrative arrangements with another contracting State. In this context, the Authority has prepared and submitted to the Vietnamese authorities a suggested scheme of administrative arrangements to be established between Ireland and Vietnam for the resumption of inter-country adoption between the two States. The Authority is awaiting the response of the Vietnamese authorities to this proposal.
In January I had a very positive visit to Vietnam focussing on inter-country adoption. It provided the opportunity for direct, personal engagement with the Vietnamese authorities, and the fostering of cooperation between our two countries on inter-country adoption. My visit coincided with a visit of a delegation from the Adoption Authority of Ireland to Vietnam to discuss administrative matters in relation to inter-country adoptions on foot of Vietnam's recent ratification of the Hague Convention. I have recently written to the Vietnamese authorities formally inviting them to visit Ireland in the coming months at both Ministerial and official level.
The Adoption Authority registered one accredited body for the purposes of adoption mediation within Vietnam. Further applications from other bodies remain under consideration by the Authority and a decision is anticipated shortly in this regard. Agencies accredited by the Adoption Authority of Ireland also require the approval of the Vietnamese authorities.
573 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the average waiting time at present for inter-country adoptions and the way this compares to previous years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24963/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has advised that waiting times for inter-country adoption assessments have reduced considerably across the country. According to the HSE the waiting time for assessments varies around the country and, in general, the maximum waiting time is 12 months.
The Adoption Authority informs me that waiting times between the sending of an adoption application pack and the actual completion of an adoption in sending countries may vary greatly and may extend to as much as 3 years or more in some cases. The Adoption Authority has no influence with regard to the waiting times involved in these sending countries. Furthermore, some jurisdictions require a two stage adoption process which entails post-placement reports being submitted during an initial period of guardianship before an adoption is approved and finalised. Hence, while a number of applicants would have referrals of children and some would be in the process of completing the post-placement requirements of sending countries, they would not have finalised the adoptions by court order and therefore would not be in a position to register the adoptions with the AAI.
