Jim Higgins
Question:3 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach the number of children born to single parents in 1992; the number born to married parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Birth Statistics.
Of the 51,584 births registered during 1992, 42,281, or 82 per cent, were to married mothers. The remaining 9,303 births, representing 18 per cent of the total, were to unmarried mothers.
Would the Minister of State say whether he has the age breakdown — in other words, the numbers of births to single mothers, in particular those aged under 15 years, between 15 and 20 years, 20 and 25 years and so on?
I am afraid I have not that information with me here but I will have it conveyed to the Deputy.
Would the Minister of State say whether the Government is aware that because one in every five children born, according to the statistics he has given, is born to single mothers, that constitutes a massive social problem? Furthermore, is he aware that figures published yesterday illustrated that in the nine months to end September 1993, ten children were born to 15-year-olds or younger at the National Maternity Hospital and 25 children to 16 year-olds or younger?
I am aware that in the first quarter of 1993 births outside of marriage represented approximately 19.6 per cent of total births, that one in three births outside marriage in 1992 were to women who already had at least one child. I am also aware of the report the Deputy mentioned. I have not the specific statistics here but I will have them conveyed to him.
Can the Minister of State indicate whether the figure he has given us today, that of 18 per cent of births to unmarried mothers, represents an increase over recent years and, if so, to what extent?
The percentages over the past two or three years have been increasing. For example, in 1989 the total percentage of births outside of marriage was 12.8 per cent; it was 14.6 per cent in 1990; 16.6 per cent in 1991 and 18 per cent in 1992. Therefore, the House will see that it is an increasing percentage.
Would the Minister agree that there has been a very dramatic increase in the numbers of children being born to parents outside of marriage? Would the Minister indicate whether it is intended that the Government will give any special consideration to what social policy should be put in place to deal with this particular phenomenon, specifically with regard to the large numbers of children being born to girls under 18 years of age?
I must point out that the question before us essentially is statistical and that policy matters ought not arise at this stage.
In regard to the statistical element of Deputy Shatter's question, I should say that the number of births outside of marriage to teenage mothers fell between the years 1991 and 1992; nevertheless, it represents approximately 26.2 per cent of total births outside of marriage, that is to teenage mothers. The relevant figures are: in 1989 there were 1,966; in 1990, 2,272; in 1991, 2,489; and in 1992, 2,435.
Would the Minister of State agree that 18 per cent or 19 per cent of births to unmarried mothers does constitute a serious matter? Furthermore, would he agree that the social welfare rules laid down by the Department have a considerable bearing on the number of children born to unmarried mothers, particularly the rule which forces young people to leave their homes in order to qualify for social welfare benefit, leading to the break-up of families?
Would the Minister of State agree that the fact that 70 per cent of these unmarried mothers are aged between 16 and 24 points to the need for a strategic social policy to be adopted by one single Minister in that there is the inherent danger that no specific Minister is charged to deal with the specific area of social change? Would the Minister of State agree that there is need for a deterrent to this rising tide of births to unmarried mothers, specifically since many of these young girls find themselves in a poverty trap occasioned by the lack of State-subsidised child care, unable to enter the workforce or undergo training? Would the Minister of State agree to investigate the notion of one single, specific Minister taking responsibility for this in terms of social policy, which would be a help?
The Deputy is clearly entering into the policy area now.
(Limerick East): Would the Minister of State agree that while the figure he has given is obviously correct, it is a national figure and there are variations within that figure which are significant. The 18 per cent figure is not consistent throughout the country and is much higher, perhaps double, in urban areas and may be treble the figure in certain specific locations in urban areas. Can he give us comparative statistics for other EC countries? I read recently that the equivalent figure in the United Kingdom was somewhere in the high twenties, France was 33 per cent and the Scandinavian countries were all in the region of 50 per cent.
I am aware of the figures the Deputy has mentioned. I do not have the details requested but I can convey them to him. There is no doubt there are widespread variations in different regions of the country.
Would the Minister of State agree that there is also a divergence to terms of the socio economic background of the mothers involved and that by and large they come from poorer families? Has the Minister of State any information in relation to the fathers of these children?
The only statistical information I can give is that for every mother a father was involved. The Deputy is right in saying there are variations in the socio economic classes. If any Deputy wishes to put down specific questions on those areas I will be delighted to convey the information to them.
Would the Minister accept there is a difficulty in providing an accurate picture of the breakdown in this regard because of the lack of divorce and that people who are termed married may not necessarily be married? They may be separated but still be described as married. People who are unmarried may be in a very stable relationship but because of the lack of divorce they cannot marry. Therefore this picture is not a true and accurate reflection of Irish society. It highlights the need for divorce legislation to ensure that when we go out and look for information——
We are having quite an extension of the subject matter. It is tending towards debate.
In the context of supplementary questions raised, has the Minister of State any information on the number of children born outside marriage during the course of the past two years? How many of those births have been registered solely under the name of the mother and how many have been registered under the names of both mother and father?
I do not have the information requested by Deputy Shatter.
In response to Deputy McManus's question, anybody who was registered as single, separated, divorced or widowed on the birth notification is included in the category "born outside of marriage". I accept the Deputy's point that the information could be more accurate in the context of divorce.
I am calling Deputy Theresa Ahearn for a final question.
Deputy Shatter asked my question.
Let us proceed then to other questions, Priority Questions. I should say that these questions are subject to a rather rigorous time limit under our Standing Orders of 20 minutes only.