asked the Taoiseach the number of unmarried mothers aged 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 who gave birth in 1978, 1979 and 1980.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Unmarried Mothers.
7.
I propose to circulate a statement setting out the information requested by the Deputy, compiled on the basis of year of registration of birth.
Following is the statement:
|
Age of mother at maternity |
No. of Illegitimate Births Registered during year |
||
|
1978 |
1979 |
1980 |
|
|
15 and under |
47 |
46 |
49 |
|
16 |
120 |
123 |
153 |
|
17 |
240 |
282 |
298 |
|
18 |
327 |
394 |
420 |
|
19 |
378 |
430 |
499 |
|
Total — under 20 |
1,112 |
1,275 |
1,419 |
I wish to take the Minister of State to task on this. I was very unhappy with a reply I received to a question I asked last week and I want to ask him two questions now. First of all, is he aware that the annual report last year of the federated services for unmarried parents expressed supreme concern about the delay in publication of statistical data in respect of our unmarried mothers? Is the Minister aware that they further stated that the age of mother and the number of illegitimate births is vital for planning services? Would the Minister of State get those figures as soon as possible? I find it difficult to understand why they are not available.
That does not arise on this question.
Can the Minister give me the figures for which I have asked and, if not, can he tell me why not?
I have already said I propose to circulate the details. Following a question last week I circulated all the information on illegitimate births from age 15 to 20 and thereafter, in the age ranges set out. The information sought today was to give the number of those under the age of 20 in the years 1978, 1979 and 1980, in other words of births to people aged 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
The Minister is circulating them?
That is what I said in the reply.
Can the Minister not give an answer now?
Does the Deputy want me to go through the years 1978, 1979 and 1980?
That is what I asked in my question. Perhaps the Minister could speak slowly so that I can take them down.
I have circulated the information.
They will be given to the Deputy in a couple of minutes — it is a tabular statement — and the Deputy can put down further questions in relation to the matter next week.
I cannot because we will not be here next week. May I ask the Minister of State if he is aware that in Britain it is possible for the same federation to telephone statistics offices and get information within one year about Irish women who have babies in England? Why can we not have the same kind of statistics available as quickly here because there is considerable concern felt amongst the health authorities?
I can help the Deputy by saying that arrangements have been made to incorporate in the future detailed analyses of the births by age of mother, that is, showing all the ages from 15 to 48 together with under 15s and over 49s on the basis of year of registration. This will be done in future issues of each December quarterly report. An additional analysis in relation to the number of previous children will also be included. The figures for 1981 will be included in the December 1981 quarterly report which will be available by July 1982, about seven months late, but it is quicker than what the Deputy mentioned about Britain.
Will the Minister answer the question that was put to him? Will he give the House information about the figures sought?
I told the House that I propose to circulate a statement setting out the information. I should like to tell the Deputy that for 1980 the number of illegitimate births to those aged 15 and under was 49; at 16, 153; at 17, 298; at 18, 420 and at 19, 499.