Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the response of the Health Service Executive to the requests to do everything possible to reduce the waiting times and assessment times for prospective adoptive parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10369/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Applicants for adoption must undergo a detailed statutory assessment process. This is undertaken by professional Social Workers and must be approved by the Adoption Board before a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt can be issued by the Board. I acknowledge that persons applying for adoption have experienced unacceptably long delays as regards waiting times for assessment. I have asked the Health Service Executive to do everything possible to reduce waiting times and assessment times for prospective adopters. Section 37 of the Adoption Bill 2009 provides for accredited bodies to carry out aspects of the adoption process, including assessment, on behalf of the HSE.