Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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692. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Adoption Authority of Ireland has completed its consideration of the submissions from Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency and Arc Adoption for funding to act as accredited agencies for inter-country adoption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18898/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Work is ongoing in my Department in relation to the issue of funding of agencies accredited for intercountry adoption in order to ensure the sustainability of the agencies and continuity of service. My Department has meet with both Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency and Arc and interim funding has been allocated to both agencies.

The Department is continuing its examination of the matter in co-operation with the Adoption Authority and the Child and Family Agency in relation to examining the future funding arrangements for accredited bodies in intercountry adoption.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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693. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has received and considered submissions from the Adoption Authority of Ireland identifying 23 areas for change in the Adoption Act 2010 and if she will provide an outline of any planned legislation changes in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18899/14]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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694. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has considered any changes in how bilateral agreements for the purposes of inter-country adoption are established with Ireland as a receiving country; if she has had any discussion with the Adoption Authority of Ireland in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18900/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 693 and 694 together.

The Adoption Act 2010 has been in operation for just three years. Since the implementation of the Act, as is often the case with complex legislation, issues have arisen in relation to the operation of the Act. There are also more general policy questions around the nature of our adoption regime. In the circumstances I think it is timely to consider an initial review of adoption legislation. Given the range and complexity of the issues this will require a preliminary examination following which decisions will be made on the extent and time scale for the review. Based upon the many domestic and international legal aspects to adoption the issue of further legislative development will certainly be considered. This review will inform future operational and legislative considerations regarding the Adoption Act 2010.