Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Feb 1929

Vol. 28 No. 4

Estimates for Public Services. - Vote 41—General Register Office.

Mr. Fitzgerald

I move:

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £300 chun íochta an Mhuirir a thiocfidh chun bheith iníochta i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1929, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí Oifig ArdChlárathóra na mBeireataisí, etc. (7 agus 8 Vict., c. 81, a. 54; 26 Vict., c. 11, a. 9; 26 agus 27 Vict., c. 52, a. 11, agus c. 90 a. 20; 42 agus 43 Vict., c. 70; agus 43 agus 44 Vict., c. 13).

That a sum not exceeding £300 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1929, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Office of the Registrar-General of Births, etc. (7 and 8 Vict., c. 81, s. 54; 26 Vict., c. 11, s. 9; 26 and 27 Vict., c. 52, s. 11, and c. 90, s. 20; 42 and 43 Vict., c. 70; and 43 and 44 Vict., c. 13).

General Mulcahy

The amount estimated in respect of appropriations-in-aid in the General Register Estimate for this year was in excess of what will actually be received. Most of the appropriations-in-aid in the matter arise out of payments made in respect of birth certificates by intending emigrants to the United States. The number of emigrants to the United States during the year 1928 was 2,109 less than for the previous year. The deficiency arises in that way.

Mr. F.H. Crowley

Would the Minister state why it is that if an ordinary individual applies to the Register Office for birth certificates he will be charged 7/8 for two, but if he applies for the shipping companies he will get them for 6/2?

General Mulcahy

A number of difficulties arose with the United States authorities in connection with birth certificates presented by intending emigrants. The insistence by the United States on intending emigrants presenting birth certificates gave rise to the getting of an abnormal number of birth certificates throughout the country, and it was decided, firstly, in order to satisfy the more correct requirements of the United States authorities, and secondly, because there was a large amount of money involved in this matter, that intending emigrants looking for certificates should get them from the General Register Office in Dublin, and an arrangement was made by which emigrants would present certificates issued through the General Register Office alone. For that work it has been found necessary to charge a fee of 1/6 to cover the cost of postage, etc., and to cover the cost of the more satisfactory arrangements provided by the Register Office for the issue of these certificates.

Vote put and agreed to.