Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the practical measures which have been identified as being necessary to tackle the waiting lists for inter-country adoptions, in view of the appalling delays for assessment of those who want to adopt children. [2198/05]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 168: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the waiting time in each health board area for the assessment of couples for suitability to adopt overseas children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34191/04]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the number of persons in the country who are awaiting assessment for adoption; the approximate number involved; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that it can take more than three years for assessments to take place; and the practical measures being taken to tackle these waiting lists. [1202/05]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 148, 168 and 231 together.

Applications for inter-country adoption are processed by the Health Service Executive under the Adoption Acts 1952 to 1998.

The length of time it takes to complete the necessary assessment and the allocation of resources within the Health Service Executive is a matter for the management of HSE. However, I have asked the Adoption Board to identify practical measures to tackle the waiting lists of inter-country assessments and itis examining this currently.