Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will publish the preliminary proposals the Health Service Executive has developed regarding the outsourcing of assessment agencies for the purposes of inter-country adoption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8053/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The HSE is continuing to develop its proposals in relation to arrangements for providing intercountry adoption assessments. The issues involved are the subject of ongoing discussions with my Department. The Adoption Act 2010 provides that bodies other than the HSE may undertake adoption assessments on behalf of the Executive where they have been accredited by the Adoption Authority of Ireland for this purpose. The arrangements for delivery of this service will be considered against the backdrop of changes in the level of demand for adoption assessments, the overall cost effectiveness of different service delivery arrangements and the management of priorities within the HSE Children and Families Service. Details of the proposals will be made public when the discussions have concluded.