Adoption services provided by the Societies and Health Boards are listed on pages 10 and 11. Health Boards adoption services are provided through the community care service of the Boards. A number of the Societies are operated by, or in association with the local Health Board. An adoption order secures in law the position of the child in the adoptive family. These rights and duties are transferred to the adoptive parents.
Legal adoption is permanent.
All applications for adoption orders are made to the Adoption Board, an independent statutory body. The Board consists of a chairman and eight ordinary members appointed by the Government. Children born within marriage may be adopted under this provision. A child born to a married woman but whose husband is not the father, is eligible for adoption provided the facts of the child's paternity can be proven to the satisfaction of the Adoption Board. The child must reside in the State, be at least six weeks old and under 18 years of age.