Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 445: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the average length of time between application and the successful conclusion for foreign adoptions; the number of applications outstanding; the reason for such delays; if her Department will introduce practical measures to reduce this timescale; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9973/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE) under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

The Government did allocate €1 million to the HSE in additional ongoing funding commencing in 2005 to assist in tackling inter-country adoption waiting times. I understand that this additional funding is being used to pilot measures which will, for example, allow for more flexible working arrangements within the HSE with a view to addressing waiting times. The registered Adoption Society, PACT, has also received significant additional funding to allow them to expand their inter-country adoption services.