Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
agreement is that Governments are bound to one another by a bilateral agreement. Administrative
agreements are related to the sequence and process arrangements in place to support the
safeguards already agreed between states. The Adoption Authority of Ireland works with central
authority counterparts in the establishment of administrative agreements while bilaterals
are Government to Government agreements.
If a country has ratified the Hague Convention then the Adoption Authority of Ireland may
establish administrative arrangements, as provided for in Section 72 of the Adoption Act, 2010.
The Authority has over recent months travelled to a number of jurisdictions and has had
discussions with the relevant Central Authorities. The purpose was to advise of its processes
and procedures and to assess the need for additional administrative arrangements or agreements
with referring Hague countries in order to underpin the process. These visits also provided
an opportunity to discuss ways to streamline processes on both sides and get up to date
information for prospective adopters on developments in the particular countries.
If a country has not ratified the Hague Convention then a bilateral agreement would be
necessary in order for adoptions to continue with that country. The negotiation of bilateral
agreements on intercountry adoption with states which have not ratified the Hague Convention
is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010. Ireland has not to date entered into a
bilateral agreement in respect of intercountry adoption. Under Section 73 of the Act, “the
Authority, with the prior consent of the Minister, may enter into discussions with any non-contracting
state concerning the possibility of the Government entering into a bilateral agreement
with that State.”
The priority focus for the Adoption Authority is the putting place of administrative arrangements
with other countries which have ratified the Hague Convention. Any future bilateral
arrangements which might be entered into would also be required by law to meet the minimum
standards set out in the Convention.
Children in Care
600. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the
number of children in State care who were charged or convicted of any criminal offence in
2010 or 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7720/12]
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I have asked the
Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date
information.
Departmental Staff
601. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if
she will provide an organisational chart detailing officials and their responsibilities within her
Department. [7734/12]
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I have arranged for
the Department’s organisation chart to be forwarded directly to the Deputy at her office. The
Department’s chart is now also available on my Department’s website.
Ministerial Appointments
602. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will list
all appointments to State boards and agencies made by her since she came to power; the
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