Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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317. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide a list of countries that are open and eligible for inter-country adoption by eligible persons here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2407/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Ireland ratified the Hague Convention on the protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Inter-Country Adoption on 1 November 2010. The Adoption Act 2010 provides for inter country adoption between countries that have ratified the Hague Convention, or between countries with whom Ireland has a bilateral agreement. The Act, which incorporates the provisions of the Hague Convention, provides a framework to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed and that all adoptions are effected in the best interests of the child.

Applicants for inter country adoption must apply to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in the first instance and then undergo a detailed assessment process. Adoptions are currently ongoing from Vietnam, the USA, China, Thailand, the Philippines, and Bulgaria. Further information regarding inter country adoption is available on the Adoption Authority website at www.aai.gov.ie.