Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the average waiting times by region for assessment of prospective adoptive parents; her views on whether it is acceptable that the waiting period has been so high for such a long period of time; the plans to reduce this waiting time; the average number of new cases processed by quarter by region; the number of post-placement reports dealt with by region by quarter; and the number of FTE social workers assigned to inter-country adoption by quarter by region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18435/09]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on proposing reforms to the inter-country adoption assessment process. [18644/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 220 together.

I am arranging for the Deputy to be provided with the most recent statistics prepared by the Health Services Executive regarding inter-country adoption assessment services. I am very aware of the lengthy waiting time especially in some regions. My officials have been working with the HSE and the Adoption Board to assess ways of streamlining the current process and ensure that delays are reduced in so far as possible. This work is continuing as part of the preparations for the new legislative regime for adoption generally.

However, it must also be recognised that the demand for inter-country adoption has been increasing at an exponential rate over the last number of years. I understand from the HSE that over 370 first time assessments were completed in 2008 and over 170 second time assessments - a total of around 550. In addition to this increasing figure, the number of post adoption reports required has also been increasing. In 2008 around 1350 post adoption reports were completed. This is now considered to take around 28% of total social work time spent on the inter-country adoption process. Resourcing adoption assessment services has to be considered in the context of other child welfare and protection services provided by the Health Services Executive. The adoption service does not sit within a vacuum but has to be managed against competing priorities. Notwithstanding that, every effort has been made by the HSE to protect and improve the service over a number of years.

Under existing legislation assessments for adoption can be undertaken by registered adoption societies and a small number of societies continue to provide the service. Their focus is primarily on domestic adoption services. PACT provides an inter-country adoption service and continues to undertake a small number of assessments on behalf of the HSE. The Adoption Bill, 2009 currently before the Seanad develops a new regime for the accreditation of a range of agencies providing adoption services. This modernised regime more fully recognises the phenomenon of inter-country adoption and makes provision for the accreditation of agencies to provide both assessment services or mediation services. The Bill also proposes changes to the regulation of the activities, management and financial arrangements of such agencies. If enacted, there will be opportunity for the development of new agencies to assist in the reduction of waiting times in those areas where the waiting times are longest.

I am considering alternative arrangements to the current system for processing inter-country adoptions with a view to reducing the length of time that these applications are taking due to the fact that the HSE Child Protection Services have to be provided by the same staff.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status of the inter-country adoption arrangements with Russia; if she will confirm if she places more importance on securing an agreement with the Republic of Vietnam rather than the Russian Federation; the number of children in 2008 placed on the inter-country adoption register from Russia and from Vietnam; the number of persons by region who have received letters of introduction to Vietnam and to Russia; the number of e-mails and letters received by her office in the period 1 April to 1 May 2009 in relation to adoption issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18437/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Officials in the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, and colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs, have been taking soundings since April, 2008, in relation to inter-country adoption in the Russian Federation. This has included contacts with the Irish Embassy in Moscow and legal and other preparatory work on the possibility of a draft Inter-Country Adoption Agreement between the two countries. A first formal meeting was arranged with the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs. This meeting of officials of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ireland took place in the last week. I will continue to advance this matter with the assistance of my colleague Minister Martin and of his officials in both Dublin and Moscow.

I do not place more importance on either one country or another as regards the conclusion of inter-country adoption agreements. However, I and my predecessors took the pragmatic decision to prioritise the continuation of an existing proven agreement with the most popular country of choice for Irish applicants. As I say, work on the Russian situation has continued over this time and other countries, in particular Ethiopia are also under active consideration by my officials.

The number of entries made in the Register of Foreign Adoptions in 2008 in respect of children from Russia was 117 and in respect of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 182. I cannot at this stage provide the numbers sought the Deputy in relation to the letters of introduction or referrals as they are also known. I will endeavour to do so through the relevant agencies and will contact your office separately.

It is not possible to provide an accurate count of emails and letters received by my Office, my Office's email post box and officials over the last month at this time. It has been substantial. My officials continue to respond in as timely a fashion as possible. I have also been communicating directly with the relevant support groups and other representatives on a regular basis and providing information through the OMCYA website at www.omcya.ie to ensure a continued dialogue in relation to the current developments in inter-country adoption.