Nine adoptions of Maltese children were completed in Malta in the last five years, Social Justice Minister Michael Falzon revealed.

In reply to a parliamentary question made by PN MP Chris Said, Falzon provided information detailing how many adoptions were done in the years of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, as well as if how many were done in Malta and Gozo. Falzon was also asked how many of these children were Maltese, and how many were from foreign countries.

There were a total of nine adoptions of Maltese children completed in Malta, with three children being adopted in 2019, two in 2020, two in 2021 and another two in 2022.

There were a total of 74 adoptions completed in Malta, Falzon revealed. The nationalities of the children included those from Bulgaria, India, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia and Thailand. There was a record number of adoptions completed in 2022, with 32 children adopted in Malta.

Falzon also put forth information on how many Maltese and Gozitan adoptees have adopted children from foreign countries, being India, Slovakia and Vietnam, whilst being there themselves. There were a total of 122 children from these countries who were adopted by Maltese and Gozitan couples since 2018.

In 2022, Maltese adoptees adopted 30 children from India, and two from Slovakia.

One adoption from India was dissolved after being concluded in the State of Origin in 2020.

Falzon also gave information on the request for adoption completed in the United Kingdom to be recognized in Malta for citizenship of adopted children, of which there were two in 2019.

Said also asked how many children are at present being fostered by families in Malta and Gozo, as well as the total number of fostered children since 2018, and how many children are currently waiting to be fostered.

Falzon said that a total of 266 persons are currently being fostered, with 212 minors (from 0 to 17 years old) currently being fostered in Malta, and 17 minors being fostered in Gozo. 34 persons who are 18 years old or older are being fostered in Malta, with three in Gozo.

In 2023, up until 13 February, two children were put in fostering placements. 24 placements were recorded in 2022, which increased to 25 as one of the placements was changed due to placement breakdown. The highest number of recorded fostering placements was that of 45 in 2021.

Falzon said that there are currently 57 minors waiting for a foster placement.