Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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664. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she plans to open an adoption programme between Haiti and Ireland; the steps she is taking to advance this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21533/17]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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673. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the Adoption Authority of Ireland's recent visit to Haiti; the timeframe she expects for the commencement of a proposed adoption programme between Ireland and Haiti; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21999/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 664 and 673 together.

The Adoption Authority of Ireland has responsibility for implementing the Adoption Act 2010, including Ireland's responsibilities under the Hague Convention in relation to inter-country adoption.

Haiti ratified the Hague Convention on 1 April 2014. In May 2014 the Adoption Authority of Ireland accredited Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency to facilitate inter country adoption between Ireland and Haiti. Helping Hands applied for accreditation by Institut du Bien-Être Social et de Recherches(IBESR), the central authority of inter country adoption in Haiti. Helping Hands has been formally approved by IBESR to mediate adoptions from Haiti.

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has consulted with the Department of Foreign Affairs on consular and diplomatic matters related to Haiti. In March the Adoption Authority of Ireland and a representative from Helping Hands Mediation Agency visited Haiti and the Department is awaiting a report of this visit from the Authority.