Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 200: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the expected date for the signing of the Hague Convention into law; the countries to which the Hague Convention will apply; the implications of that convention for countries available for adoption; the expected supports for teenagers in the new Adoption Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8726/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Adoption Bill 2009 provides for the restating or updating of the provisions of the Adoption Acts 1952-1998 as appropriate, and for the repeal of those Acts. It also gives force of law to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Inter-country Adoptions. The Bill also provides for the establishment of the Adoption Authority of Ireland to replace An Bord Uchtála. Future inter-country adoption arrangements will be governed by the terms of the Adoption Bill 2009 when enacted.

The Adoption Bill 2009 was published in January 2009 and completed all stages in the Seanad by May 2009. Second stage was commenced in Dáil Éireann on 18th November 2009 and completed on 21st January 2010. Committee stage commenced on 17 February 2010 and it is hoped that the Bill will complete its passage through both Houses in the near future. Entry into force of the Hague Convention occurs on the first day of the month following three months after the instrument of ratification or accession is deposited with the depositary, which is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

With regard to the provision of post adoption services, adopted children will continue to have the same eligibility and entitlements to health, personal social services and special education needs as any child in Ireland. The Bill makes statutory provision for the notification by adoptive parents of the adoption on return to Ireland with the child. This must be made to both the Adoption Authority, for the purposes of registering the child, and the HSE, in order that the child receives all the normal child health surveillance services available through the public health system.

The Adoption Board has provided a List of Countries / Territories that are compliant /non-compliant with Hague and/or Irish Adoption Law. Details are available on the Adoption Board website at www.adoptionboard.ie.