Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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499. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of couples and individuals who have successfully completed the application process for the adoption of children, either in Ireland or from abroad, but who have yet to adopt a child;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19890/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Declarations of eligibility and suitability to adopt which were issued under Section 63 of the Adoption Act are due to expire on 31st October 2013.

Following consultation with my Department, the AAI and the HSE agreed a process whereby holders of valid Section 63 declarations, may apply to the HSE under Section 37 of the Act for an assessment review, which will not include a full assessment process. These applicants may then obtain a Section 40 declaration of eligibility and suitability to adopt. I understand that the HSE has written to holders of such declarations advising them of the procedures to be followed when renewing their declarations and I am advised by the HSE that, to date, 269 applicants with Section 63 declarations have responded to the HSE confirming their intention to continue the adoption process.

In addition to these declaration holders, the AAI informs me that as of the end of 2012 the Authority had issued 326 declarations under Section 40 of the Act.