Written answers

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Adoption Legislation

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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544. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider extending the adoption declaration allowing families to adopt beyond the two years limit; if she will consider allowing an extension to these declarations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17345/14]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances 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 currently examining a number of proposals in relation to amendments to the Adoption Act, 2010. However, any change to the length of validity of a declaration must be weighed up against the necessity to ensure that an applicant's current situation in relation to their suitability to adopt is taken in to account in the adoption process.

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