Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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664. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the valid timeframe for declarations to adopt a child from a country will be extended to allow enough time for the whole process to be completed. [7847/14]

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. I understand that at the time of drafting of the legislation it was felt that this provided an adequate period following the initial assessment of applicants to complete an adoption. Given the changing landscape of intercountry adoption, this may no longer be the case. I am examining a number of proposals in relation to amendments to the Adoption Act, 2010. Any change to the length of validity of a declaration must take account of the necessity to ensure that an applicant's current situation in relation to their suitability to adopt is considered in the adoption process.