Adoption authority seeks chair and deputy
The Government is seeking to appoint a chair, deputy chair, and three ordinary members to the board of the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI).
As well as overseeing the work of the authority, the AAI board also has a quasi-judicial role.
It is the only body that can grant or refuse adoption orders in Ireland and is the only body that can grant or refuse the declarations of eligibility and suitability that are required by prospective adoptive parents before they can adopt a child.
The AAI is also the central authority for inter-country adoption under the Hague Convention and is responsible for the registration of foreign adoptions under Irish law.
Requirements
To be appointed as chair or deputy chair, an individual must satisfy one of two statutory requirements:
- Is or was, at any time during the two years immediately before the appointment, a judge of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Circuit Court or the District Court, or
- Is of not less than ten years' standing as a barrister or solicitor.
Knowledge and understanding of Irish and international adoption and child law is also an essential requirement.
One ordinary member of the board must be a barrister or solicitor with experience in the practice of law in relation to families and children.
At least five years’ experience as a practising solicitor or barrister is also an essential requirement.
The recruitment process is being run by Publicjobs, and the closing date for applications is Thursday 28 August (3pm).