asked the Minister for Health the manner in which the Adoption Board is funded; and the nature of the administrative changes made as a result of his Department assuming responsibility for the Adoption Board.
246.
Written Answers . - Adoption Board .
245.
asked the Minister for Health whether social workers in the Adoption Board are employed by the board directly or by his Department.
247.
asked the Minister for Health whether his Department or the Department of Justice have at any stage provided any specialist training for either social workers or administrative personnel working for the Adoption Board or registered adoption societies.
: I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 to 247, inclusive together. The operational costs of the Adoption Board are being funded directly by the Department of Health since responsibility for the adoption services were transferred to me on 1st January last.
The transfer of responsibility did not result in any administrative changes apart from the fact that the staff assigned to the board now has accountability to the Department of Health rather than to the Department of Justice. Under the arrangements made by the two Departments, after consultations with the staffs involved, both the administrative staff and the social work staff assigned to the board will remain seconded by the Department of Justice for a period of two years from the date of transfer of responsibility. After that the individuals concerned will have the choice of transferring to the Department of Health or of remaining with the Department of Justice.
As regards specialist training, new members of the administrative staff receive on-the-job training under the supervision of the registrar. The board's social workers also receive on-the-job training and instruction on appointment from the board's senior social worker. In addition they are facilitated in attending relevant specialisation courses and seminars. Such facilities are also open to adoption workers and social workers attached to adoption societies and health boards.