Declarations
Articles:
1. (...) in accordance with Article 13 of the Convention, the Republic of Cyprus designates the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance as the Central Authority to discharge all duties and responsibilities imposed by the Convention. It furthermore accredits the Director of the Department of Social Welfare Services as the competent authority to act as specified in the Convention including the certification required by Article 23.
2. The Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance will act as the sole agent for the implementation of the Convention and its functions will include all aspects of intercountry adoption as provided by the Convention.
3. Specifically, the functions of the aforesaid competent authority include the following:
(i) To provide care and protection to children. The Department of Social Welfare Services is the oficial agency of the Ministry responsible for children's welfare and protection.
(ii) To take all measures necessary for the implementation of the un Convention on the Rights of the Child which was ratified by the Republic of Cyprus.
(iii) To take all measures necessary for the implementation of the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, also ratified by the Republic of Cyprus.
(iv) To provide administrative and supportive services necessary to implement all laws and conventions relating to children's rights.
(v) To provide care and protection to children in need through a Foster Care Scheme and through Institutional and Guidance Services.
(vi) To provide programmes and services for the prevention and the treatment of delinquent behavious of children.
(vii) To provide services for the prevention and treatment of child abuse, violence and neglect of children.
(viii) To provide in co-operation with other authorities day care services to children of working parents and to regulate the standards of such services runned by individuals or the communities.
(ix) To regulate the adoption of achildren.
(x) To provide consultation services on parental care.
(xi) To initiate research programmes on children.
(xii) To provide and promote training in all aspects concerning child care.
(xiii) To promote international co-operation on children matters and on intercountry adoption."