Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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337. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of domestic adoptions applied for and successfully concluded in each of the years 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; if she will consider conducting a review of the Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 to investigate if deficiencies or obstacles to domestic adoption can be identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28363/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Adoption Authority of Ireland is responsible for considering applications for domestic adoption orders, under the Adoption Act 2010 and the Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017. Information on the numbers of adoption orders applied for and granted by the Authority are contained in the Annual Reports of the Authority, which are available to the public on their website.

In 2011, the Authority received 47 applications for domestic adoptions, and granted 39 adoption orders.

In 2012, the Authority received 92 applications for domestic adoptions, and granted 49 adoption orders.

In 2013, the Authority received 98 applications for domestic adoptions, and granted 116 adoption orders.

In 2014, the Authority received 102 applications for domestic adoptions, and granted 112 adoption orders.

In 2015, the Authority received 93 applications for domestic adoptions, and granted 94 adoption orders.

In 2016, the Authority received 96 applications for domestic adoptions, and granted 95 adoption orders.

In 2017, the Authority received 96 applications for domestic adoptions, and granted 72 adoption orders.

In 2018, the Authority received 102 applications for domestic adoptions, and granted 72 adoption orders.

To date in 2019, the Authority has received 66 applications for domestic adoptions, and granted 34 adoption orders.

It should be noted that the numbers of applications and the number of adoption orders granted are not equal in any given year. It may be the case that an adoption order is applied for in one year and granted in the next.

Regarding the operation of the Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017, both the Adoption Authority of Ireland and my Department continue to monitor its effectiveness. Significant provisions of the Act include those relating to step-parent adoption, and those relating to the adoption of children from foster care, where this is in their best interests. These provisions are being kept under continuous review, including with Tusla, as required.