Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Apr 1935

Vol. 55 No. 17

In Committee on Finance. - Vote 42—General Register Office.

Minister for Local Government and Public Health (Mr. O Ceallaigh)

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £8,165 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1936, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí Oifig Ard-Chlárathóra na mBeireataisí, etc. (7 agus 8 Vict., c. 81, a. 54; 26 Vict., c. 11, a. 9, agus c. 27; 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 £8,165 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1936, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Office of the Register-General of Births, etc. (7 and 8 Vict., c. 81, s. 54; 26 Vict., c. 11, s. 9, and c. 27); 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).

Dr. Rowlette

I should like to take this opportunity to draw the attention of the Minister to a small matter in regard to the system of registration. As Deputies know, the greater part of the work of registration throughout the country is done by dispensary doctors, who act as assistant registrars. The Minister will agree with what has been admitted by most people who take an interest in the vital statistics of the country, that we have here an admirable and an accurate record. There is probably no country in which there is a better system of registration than that carried on by dispensary doctors in rural Ireland. The importance of having such accurate statistical records is admitted by everyone interested in statistics or who has to do with government. One would think that the remuneration paid for such services would have some relation to their importance. The remuneration for this work is what I can only describe as contemptuous. The fees for registration were settled some 80 or 90 years ago and have never varied during the whole of that period. A dispensary doctor is paid a fee of 1/- for registering a birth, 1/- for registering a death, and 6d. for registering a marriage. The duty does not consist merely in filling in details in the register to constitute the official record. The doctor has also to complete a copy of these entries and send them to the superintendent registrar periodically. The amount of work connected with each registration is appreciable, apart from the responsibility, and I think the Minister has admitted that the fees have no real relation to the responsibility or the work done. The remuneration that an assistant registrar receives amounts to something like £4 or £5 yearly in rural areas. Of course in large centres like the City of Dublin, where there are very large numbers of births, particular officers may receive larger amounts, especially in districts in which there is a maternity hospital or such an institution as the Dublin Union. In such cases the amount of remuneration would be appreciable, but I think the Minister will admit that generally the system of payment is really contemptuous and requires drastic alteration, so as to make it in some way commensurate with the work done.

Mr. O Ceallaigh

I agree largely with Deputy Rowlette that excellent work is done by dispensary medical officers in relation to the registration of births and deaths. I also agree that the remuneration is not on any very generous scale. It is a long time since the remuneration was fixed and it has been the subject of discussion with organisations representing medical officers from time to time. It is at present engaging our serious attention and something will be done, I hope, soon. As far as I am concerned I believe something will be done. I hope, to be able to announce, I cannot say at an early date but, at no remote date, that I have succeeded in convincing others, who have to be convinced in the matter, that the remuneration for excellent work done ought to be increased.

Question put and agreed to.