Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 452: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will investigate the reason it is difficult for Irish couples to adopt UK children when the UK authorities are advertising the need for additional adoptive couples; the blockages within the system; her plans to assist Irish couples who wish to adopt from the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21299/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A delegation from the Adoption Authority of Ireland met with the English Central Authority in London recently. The primary purpose of the meeting was to address a small number of cases of children in respect of whom adoption orders have been sought and who have been brought from England in anticipation that these orders will be granted.

It is unusual for children who are UK citizens to be the subject of Intercountry adoptions – the UK does maintain an ICA register, as required by the Convention, but there are currently no children on that register and it is anticipated that this will remain the case – however, occasional family cases have arisen in the past. The English Central Authority has indicated that it is positively disposed to seeking a solution with regard to these specific cases, as this can now be facilitated through transition provisions, following Ireland's ratification of the Hague Convention. and the AAI is pleased to note that the Central Authority of England is supportive of its efforts to bring such cases to a successful conclusion.