Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on recent changes in adoption regulations which require sole applicants to be assessed by the Irish Adoption Board for eligibility before undergoing the Health Service Executive home study and assessment process; her views on whether such a regulation should be extended to all applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27197/07]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Adoption Board approved the guidelines for determining the eligibility and suitability of sole applicants in September, 2007. These guidelines were developed by the Adoption Board in co-operation with the HSE to guide its decision making when considering whether a sole applicant is eligible and suitable to adopt in accordance with Section 10 of the Adoption Act 1991 and Section 13 of the Adoption Act, 1952. The guidelines will also be used to advise the Health Services Executive and the registered adoption agencies on how applications to adopt abroad by sole applicants are to be processed. I am fully supportive of the guidelines.