Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding inter country adoption (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46012/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The expiration of declarations is covered under Section 41 (1) of the Adoption Act, 2010. The section provides that a declaration of eligibility and suitability expires after 24 months from the date of issuance of the declaration or after a further period of not more than 12 months that the Adoption Authority may specify. The Adoption Act, 2010, does not make provision for any further extension of declarations.

In relation to applications to the Authority for extensions to declarations issued under the provisions of Section 63 of the Adoption Act, 2010, the Board has decided to extend the declarations for one further year, i.e. from 1 November 2012 to 31 October 2013. In the event of a declaration expiring an applicant would need to apply for a new declaration and undertake a fresh assessment under sections 37-40 of the Act. Given the length of time since declarations were originally granted, it would be necessary for the application to be examined to ensure that current circumstances are accurately reflected. However officials in my Department are currently, in conjunction with the AAI, examining legislative and practise options relating to this matter.