David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 10: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the requirements which agencies must meet to become accredited as adoption agencies; the number of applications from such agencies currently awaiting accreditation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32469/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Following the commencement of the Adoption Act 2010 on 1 November 2010, adoption in Ireland is now regulated by the Adoption Authority of Ireland, which is an independent quasi-judicial statutory body appointed by the Government. The functions of the authority, which are set out in section 96 of the Adoption Act, include functions of an operational, judicial and quasi-judicial nature with regard to the adoption process itself as provided for under the Act and relating to the authority's designation as the central authority for the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Under the Adoption Act 2010, the accreditation of agencies providing adoption services is a matter for the Adoption Authority. Its functions include registration, regulatory and standard setting functions in respect of all agencies providing adoption services in accordance with Part 13 of the Act and the relevant regulations. The authority is obliged to fully satisfy itself of the fitness of any persons or body of persons to provide and undertake adoption services.

SI 524 of 2010, Adoption Act 2010 (Accredited Bodies) Regulations 2010, outlines the requirements for the registration of accredited agencies, including structure, reporting requirements and the role of the Adoption Authority. I am advised by the Adoption Authority that to date the authority has registered 12 organisations and a further six organisations are awaiting a decision on accreditation. The authority posts notifications of the accreditation of agencies on its website, www.aai.gov.ie, once the entry in the register of accredited bodies has taken place.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The Helping Hands agency in Cork has been seeking accreditation for more than a year now and is making no progress. Will the Minister look into the matter and see what can be done to assist? If there is a problem there, could she ensure the problem is sorted and the relevant information is given to the agency so it can be accredited? There is also an issue with funding for the agency. It is not receiving funding at present, and this is probably linked to the fact that it is not accredited. There is a blockage there, on which I would like the Minister's assistance.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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We are running out of time, but I will allow the Minister to respond briefly. If she would like to give a more detailed response she may do so at another time.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Stringent requirements must be met for the accreditation of adoption agencies. This protects children in this country and other countries, which is extremely important. To date, the authority has registered 12 organisations and a further six are awaiting a decision on accreditation. I note the points made by the Deputy with regard to Helping Hands. Like many agencies, it was asked to provide information and I understand this has been provided. I understand also that this information has now gone to the HSE and the Adoption Authority is awaiting a response on its analysis of that information. Once that information comes back from the HSE, a decision can be made on Helping Hands.