Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013
571. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress to date regarding inter-country adoption; the progress that the Adoption Authority of Ireland has made in establishing arrangements with the Hague Convention countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50576/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Adoption Authority is continuing its work to establish administrative arrangements with a number of Hague countries in relation to intercountry adoptions, as provided for under section 72 of the Adoption Act 2010. The Authority has travelled to a number of jurisdictions in order to make contact with the Central Authorities, advise of our processes and procedures, assess the need for additional administrative arrangements or agreements; and to glean as much information as possible of relevance to prospective adopters from those countries. The visits also provide opportunities to streamline processes on both sides and obtain up-to-date information for prospective adopters on developments in these countries.
In relation to intercountry adoption with Bulgaria the AAI has advised me that referrals for the adoption of Bulgarian children by Irish applicants have commenced.
In September 2012 the Adoption Authority and the Vietnamese Central Authority for Adoption signed an administrative arrangement for intercountry adoption. The administrative arrangement is the first international arrangement for intercountry adoption entered into by the AAI and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam since both countries ratified the Hague Convention. The Adoption Authority accredited Helping Hands for activities in relation to facilitating adoptions from Vietnam and Helping Hands has received confirmation from the Vietnamese authorities of its approval to operate there. Helping Hands has advised that they expect adoptions to commence shortly.
The administrative arrangement in relation to intercountry adoption from the USA has been given effect. Pending the delegation of functions to an Irish based accredited body working in the USA, the Authority will continue to send Article 15 assessment reports to US adoption service providers.
During a visit to India in March of this year I was advised that registration is open with CARA for special needs cases; this includes children with intellectual or physical disabilities, siblings including twins, and children over 5 years of age. It was explained that India currently operates intercountry adoption with other Hague countries without the need for any specific administrative agreements of the type envisaged in Article 72 of the Adoption Act 2010. The Adoption Authority has advised that it is their view that a registered accredited body to facilitate intercountry adoption is necessary. The AAI will consider any applications it receives in this regard.
Work has also been undertaken in terms of agreements on adoption from non-Hague countries. Russia and Ethiopia are not signatories of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. As such, future adoptions from Russia and Ethiopia would require a bilateral agreement between Ireland and these countries.
Work is also ongoing in relation to a possible bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption with Russia. In October a delegation of Russian officials travelled to Ireland for detailed discussions with officials from my Department, the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the HSE. At the meeting significant progress was made and my Department has committed to reverting to the Russian side in the coming weeks with further detailed proposals in an effort to address both Russian and Irish legal and administrative requirements to the greatest degree possible.
The Adoption Authority delegation visit to Ethiopia in April of 2012 was an initial part of the Authority's deliberations on the feasibility and suitability of entering into discussions with Ethiopia on a bilateral adoption agreement. The Authority is considering the legal advice received on the compatibility of Irish and Ethiopian adoption law and will advise me of the position when all the information is available.
As intercountry adoption is a constantly changing landscape, the most up to date information on individual countries can be found on the Adoption Authority website (www.aai.gov.ie).
