asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the reason for increasing the cost of the short birth certificate from 3/6d. to 5/- and the cost of death and birth certificates from 7/6d. to 9/6d.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Birth and Death Certificates.
61.
Mr. O'Malley
Certain fees were increased, with effect from 22nd February last, following representations made on behalf of the Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages. The fees for these certificates form an important element of the remuneration of Registrars. They had last been fixed in 1953 and in view of increases in costs, and in levels of remuneration, which had occurred in the interval, it was felt that an increase in the price of the certificates was justified. Incidentally, the fee which is now 9/6d. was hitherto 7/- and not 7/6d.
I presume the Deputy is aware that in respect of certificates bespoken at the time of the registration of the event, the fee for the short birth certificate remains unchanged at 1/6d. and the fee for all full certificates was increased by only 1/- to 6/-. I presume that he is further aware that the fees payable for certificates required for social welfare purposes are also unchanged, at 1/- for the birth certificates and 1/6d. for the marriage and death certificates.