asked the Minister for Finance if he will state why, in view of the legislative provisions regarding the short birth certificate and the clearly expressed views of both Houses of the Oireachtas thereon, a circular instruction has been issued to civil servants requiring them to submit the long form of birth certificate with applications for children's allowances, why civil servants are placed, in this matter, in a different category to other citizens and if he will have the circular instruction cancelled.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Applications for Children's Allowances.
It would not be practicable to dispense with the requirement that the unabridged form of birth certificate should accompany applications for Civil Service children's allowances. A birth certificate in this form contains certified information as to the parentage of the child which is necessary for the purpose of such applications but which is omitted from the short birth certificate.