Mr. Bennett comes to the Adoption Authority with the benefit of many years of previous experience working in senior positions within the health and social services sector. His assignments there included extensive experience at senior level in both the acute hospital and community care services. Pat’s most recent post was as Chief Executive of the Family Support Agency.

 Pat was educated in St.Mary’s C.B.S. in Portlaoise. He holds a Dip. in Hospital and Health Services Management from the Health Management Institute and is currently completing a Masters in Social Science in UCC.

107 Applications received to date. Details are as follows: by Country of choice

VIETNAM ……39

BULGARIA ……18

PHILIPPINES…… 11

THAILAND…… 12

INDIA…… 9

MEXICO ……5

CHINA…… 4

RUSSIA ……4

FLORIDA…… 3

ETHIOPIA ……1

UNDECIDED ……1

By County

CARLOW…… 2

CAVAN…… 2

CLARE ……1

CORK……20

DONEGAL…… 6

DUBLIN…… 27

GALWAY…… 2

KILDARE…… 4

KILKENNY…… 3

LAOIS……. 1

LEITRIM ……1

LIMERICK ……5

LOUTH …….1

MAYO…… 1

MEATH ……4

OFFALY ……1

ROSCOMMON…… 1

TIPPERARY ……6

WATERFORD ……5

WESTMEATH…… 4

WEXFORD ……8

WICKLOW ……2

By Year of original application to the AAI

2006 ……4

2007…….. 3

2008……..27

2009 …….38

2010 …….35

Prospective Adoptive Parents in possession of a valid Declaration of Eligibility & Suitability are advised that an online notification and application system was launched on the Authority’s website on 13 April 2012. This allows prospective adoptive parents to apply to the Authority for an extension to their Declaration of Eligibility & Suitability in sufficient time before the expiry date of 31 October 2012.

Hague Convention States

Bulgaria: Applications will be accepted from Ireland via ARC Adoptions Ltd., in collaboration with one of three ASPs (Adoption Service Provider) licenced for Ireland. The average age of eligible child will be +5 years – younger children may take longer.

Florida: Discussions regarding a proposed Administrative Arrangement are ongoing. Irish applicants should not attempt to effect a private non-Hague adoption in Florida, e.g they should not accept a referral from an American Agency prior to the AAI granting approval for the placement under Article 17 of the Hague Convention. Article 16 Reports must first come to the Adoption Authority of Ireland for Article 17 approval. Article 17 Placement Approval Notices cannot be issued where the child has already been placed with the PAPs.

PAPs should ensure that any persons /organisation from whom they commission post-placement pre-adoption reports in Ireland are duly accredited by the AAI.

India: Currently not accepting dossiers from Ireland.

Article 16 Reports must first come to the Adoption Authority of Ireland for Article 17 approval. Article 17 Placement Approval Notices cannot be issued where the child has already been placed with the PAPs. PAPs should satisfy themselves that the persons they are dealing with in India are fully accredited and registered with CARA.

Kazakhstan: Numerous attempts to contact the Kazakhstan National Central Authority have failed to date. Irish Embassy in Moscow has been asked to assist.

Kenya: National Central Authority has been asked will it accept packs from Ireland. Reminders sent.

Lithuania: National Central Authority has been asked will it accept packs from Ireland. Reminders sent.

Mexico: A number of applications for entries in the Register of Intercountry Adoptions are on hold pending clarification on their status by the Mexican National Central Authority. No Declaration of Eligibility & Suitability can issue for children under 5 years of age.

Panama: National Central Authority has been asked will it accept packs from Ireland. Reminders sent.

Thailand: Quota of 4 dossiers for 2012. Clarification on this has been sought from the NCA. (i.e. does the quota apply to dossiers already sent?). Clarification also sought on whether Thai adoptions are ‘simple’ adoptions or ‘full/plenary’ adoptions. Responses have been received from the National Central Authority but are anything but clear.

Vietnam: VN is not yet accepting packs from Ireland. Both the VN Minister for Justice and the Director General of the ICA Department have been invited to Ireland. Visit expected in late May / June. ARC Adoptions Ltd., are accredited for work in VN. Applications from two other organisations are under consideration.

Non-Hague Convention States

Ethiopia: AAI will consider the report of the Irish Delegation’s recent visit at its next meeting.

Russia: No update

A A I = Adoption Authority of Ireland

PAP’s = Prospective Adoptive Parents

NCA = National Central Authority under the 1993 Hague Convention

41.—(1) A declaration of eligibility and suitability expires after—

(a) 24 months from the date of issuance of the declaration, or

(b) a further period of not more than 12 months that the Authority may specify on application made to the Authority by the person or married couple concerned within those 24 months.

Prospective Adoptive Parents in possession of a valid Declaration of Eligibility & Suitability are advised that an online notification and application system will be launched on the Authority’s website on 13th April 2012. This will allow prospective adoptive parents to apply to the Authority for an extension to their Declaration of Eligibility & Suitability in sufficient time before the expiry date of 31st October 2012.

Further details will be announced nearer the launch date. Prospective adoptive parents not having access to the internet will be advised of alternative arrangements.

Application details will be forwarded to the HSE on a regular basis in order for an updated assessment report to be carried out.

Further details of the online registration system will be given on 12th April 2012.

30th March 2012

Hague Convention states

Bulgaria: No change since last notice of 22 February 2012.

Florida: Adoption Authority of Ireland delegation will visit Washington on 29/30 March 2012.

Article 16 Reports must first come to the Adoption Authority of Ireland for Article 17 approval.

Article 17 Placement Approval Notices cannot be issued where the child has already been placed with the PAPs.

PAPs should ensure that any persons /organisation from whom they commission post-placement pre-adoption reports in Ireland are duly accredited by the AAI.

India: Currently not accepting dossiers from Ireland.

Article 16 Reports must first come to the Adoption Authority of Ireland for Article 17 approval.

Article 17 Placement Approval Notices cannot be issued where the child has already been placed with the PAPs.

PAPs should satisfy themselves that the persons they are dealing with in India are fully accredited and registered with CARA.

No further Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability will issue for India until a visit by the Adoption Authority of Ireland in late April / May.

Kazakhstan: No change since last notice on 16 March 2012.

Kenya: No change since last notice on 16 March 2012.

Lithuania: No change since last notice on 16 March 2012.

Mexico: No change since last notice on 16 March 2012.

Panama: No change since last notice on 16 March 2012.

Thailand: Quota of 4 dossiers for 2012. Clarification on this has been sought from the NCA. (i.e. does the quota apply to dossiers already sent?). Clarification also sought on whether Thai adoptions are ‘simple’ adoptions or ‘full/plenary’ adoptions.

Vietnam: No change since last notice on 16 March 2012.

Non-Hague Convention States

Ethiopia: No change since last notice on 16 March 2012.

Russia: No change since last notice on 16 March 2012.

IAA Meeting: Following an invitation from representatives of the International Adoption Association, representatives of the AAI will attend an Information Meeting in the Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin on 13 April 2012 at 8.00pm.

A A I = Adoption Authority of Ireland

PAP’s = Prospective Adoptive Parents

NCA = National Central Authority under the 1993 Hague Convention

Bulgaria: No change since last notice of 22 February 2012.

Florida: Discussions regarding a proposed Administrative Arrangement under the Hague Convention are ongoing. Adoption Authority of Ireland delegation will visit Washington on 29/30 March 2012. Article 16 Reports must first come to the Adoption Authority of Ireland for Article 17 approval. Article 17 Placement Approval Notices cannot be issued where the child has already been placed with the PAP’s.

India: Currently not accepting dossiers from Ireland. There is evidence of a new on-line registration system but Ireland has not been invited to participate. Should Adoption Authority of Ireland receive an invitation, it will be considered. Pipeline cases (under the old system) – Article 16 Reports must first come to the Adoption Authority of Ireland for Article 17 approval. Article 17 Placement Approval Notices cannot be issued where the child has already been placed with the PAPs. PAPs should satisfy themselves that the persons they are dealing with in India are fully accredited and registered with CARA. No further Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability will issue for India until a visit by the Adoption Authority of Ireland in late April / May.

Kazakhstan: The NCA has been asked to confirm whether it will accept packs from Ireland. Irish applicants should not attempt to effect a private (non-Hague) adoption in Kazakhstan. No further Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability will issue until the NCA has confirmed that it will accept dossiers from Ireland.

Kenya: Adoption Law opinion sought from Kenyan lawyer. NCA has been asked if it will accept dossiers from Ireland.

Lithuania: Adoption Law received and sent for Irish legal opinion. NCA has been asked if it will it accept dossiers from Ireland.

Mexico: No change since notice of 22 February 2012. A number of applications for an entry in the RICA are on hold pending clarification on their status from the Mexican NCA. No Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability can issue for children under 5 years of age.

Panama: Adoption Law received and sent for Irish legal opinion. NCA has been asked if it will accept dossiers from Ireland.

South Africa: Hague Convention state, but not accepting dossiers from Ireland.

Thailand: Quota of 4 dossiers for 2012. Clarification on this has been sought from the NCA. (i.e. does the quota apply to dossiers already sent?)

Vietnam: VN is not yet accepting packs from Ireland. Both the VN Minister for Justice and the Director General of the Adoption Department of the MoJ have been invited to Ireland. Visit expected in May / June along with other EU countries. An Irish based Accredited Body has been accredited by the AAI for work in VN. Applications from two further bodies are under consideration. No Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability will issue for VN until an Operational Agreement has been signed between the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the VN NCA.

Non-Hague Convention States

Ethiopia: Non-Hague state. Delegation from the Adoption Authority of Ireland will visit Ethiopia on 3 April 2012.

Russia: Non-Hague state No change since notice of 22 February 2012

AAI = Adoption Authority of Ireland

PAP’s = Prospective Adoptive Parents

NCA = National Central Authority under the 1993 Hague Convention

Prior to the nomination / referral of a child to prospective adoptive parents, the AAI must have given its approval to the nomination / referral of the child to the prospective adoptive parents, and the AAI will in fact carry out the nomination / referral process itself.

Prospective adoptive parents are advised that they should NOT have a child nominated / referred to them in any other manner or by any other authority or body, either in the country of origin of the child or in this State.

Time: 8 – 9:30 p.m.

Venue: Creggan Court Hotel, Athlone (www.creggancourt.com)

Admission:

IAA  Member €10.00 per person.   Purchase ticket here:   Talking to your Child  About Adoption 

Non-Member: €20 per person.   Purchase ticket here:   Non-Member Talking to your Child about Adoption

This information event will address how research shows that families who are open to talking about adoption have better outcomes.  The event will also address how parents can prepare for talking and how children understand adoption at different ages.

India: Hague Convention state. The Indian NCA (known as CARA) clearly indicated in mid-2011 that it would NOT be accepting packs from any country until further notice. The NCA has not been in contact with the AAI since then regarding this matter. There is evidence of a new online ‘CARINGS’ registration system being unilaterally implemented by CARA. The AAI has not been invited to participate in this new system. AAI has attempted to contact the NCA on a number of occasions and has decided to visit India as soon as practicable. Irish applicants should NOT attempt to effect a private (non-Hague Convention) adoption in India and NOR should they proceed with ‘guardianship’ proceedings under the Guardianship and Wards Act 1896. The AAI will not accept Declaration of Eligibility & Suitability applications nor issue new Declarations pending the proposed visit to India. Refer to country specific advisories.

Vietnam: Hague Convention state since 1 February 2012. VN is not currently accepting packs from Ireland. The draft text of an Administrative Arrangement has been submitted to the VN NCA. Both the VN Minister for Justice and the Director General of the Adoption Department of the MoJ have been invited to Ireland. An Irish based Accredited Body has been accredited by the AAI for work in VN. Applications from two further bodies are under consideration. The AAI will not accept applications nor issue new Declarations pending an administrative agreement being reached. Irish applicants should not attempt to effect a private (non-Hague) adoption in Vietnam. Refer to country specific advisories.

Kazakhstan: Hague Convention state. The Kazakhstan NCA has been asked to confirm whether it will accept packs from Ireland. Irish applicants should not attempt to effect a private (non-Hague) adoption in Kazakhstan. Refer to country specific advisories.

Florida: Discussions regarding a proposed Administrative Arrangement under the Hague Convention are ongoing. Irish applicants should not attempt to effect a private (non-Hague) adoption in Florida. Refer to country specific advisories.

Bulgaria: Hague Convention state. Applications will be accepted from Ireland via ARC Adoptions Ltd. in collaboration with one of three Bulgarian ASPs (Adoption Service Providers) licenced for Ireland. The average age of children will be five years +; however younger children, and children with special needs, may be adopted. The Bulgarian NCA formally advises that the waiting period for younger children will be considerably longer than for older children. Irish applicants should not attempt to effect a private (non-Hague) adoption in Bulgaria. Refer to country specific advisories.

Mexico: Hague Convention state. Applications will be accepted from Ireland via the Mexican Federal NCA ONLY. The NCA has informed the AAI that only children of 5 Years + will be available for adoption from Mexico with the two possible exceptions of special needs and sibling groups only. All applications for entries in the RICA are ‘on hold’ pending clarification from the Mexican NCA on the status of the adoptions already effected. Irish applicants should not attempt to effect a private (non-Hague) adoption in Mexico. Refer to country specific advisories.

Russia: NON-Hague Convention state. Russia is only open to holders of pre 1 November 2010 Declaration of Eligibility & Suitability as issued by the former Adoption Board prior to 1 November 2010. A first DRAFT of a template bi-lateral agreement has been submitted by the Russians to the AAI and is currently with legal advisors. Refer to country specific advisories.

Ethiopia : NON-Hague state. Ethiopia is only open to holders of pre 1 November 2010 Declaration of Eligibility & Suitability as issued by the former Adoption Board prior to 1 November 2010. Applicants are advised to pay utmost particular attention to country specific advisories in this case. The AAI will visit Ethiopia shortly