Vol. 438 No. 4
283 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the analysis which he has undertaken of the various options affecting the relocation of the General Register Office; and the decision he has taken in relation to this matter.
The General Register Office fulfils a very important and legally sensitive public function. It's relocation from Dublin will represent a major change which needs to be planned for in some detail. In considering such a change, there was an onus on my Department to examine all of the implications with a view to minimising any disruption of service to the public and the costs associated with the move.
Officials of my Department carried out a detailed analysis of the implications of eight separate options effecting the relocation of the General Register Office. The analysis took into account factors such as the impact on service to the public, the need for legislative change, staffing, cost, timescale and so on.
In the course of this exercise, it became clear that the extent to which the registration system can be computerised is a significant factor, particularly in ensuring an adequate and efficient service to users of the registration system. Following a feasibility study, the initial steps in computerising the system are now being taken. My Department has also commissioned a review of the overall operation of the registration system, again with a view to ensuring an adequate and efficient service to users of the system.
