Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 7

Written Answers. - General Register Office.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

182 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason members of the public are forced to queue for long periods outside the Central Registrar's office at East Lombard Street, Dublin 1; if his attention has been drawn to the unnecessary hardship caused by the obvious lack of facilities; the action, if any, he proposes to take to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11349/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I am aware that the queues for services outside Joyce House have been considerable in recent times and I regret the inconvenience to the persons concerned. As previously indicated in relation to this particular issue, the administration of the registration system, including the services and facilities provided at Joyce House, is statutorily a matter for An tArd-Chláraitheoir-Registrar-General-of Births, Deaths and Marriages and for the Superintendent Registrar for Dublin and Registrars who operate under his general direction.

There are two separate offices located at Joyce House, Lombard Street East, Dublin 2 issuing certificates of birth, deaths and marriages, the General Register Office and the above-mentioned Superintendent Registrar's Office, which provides certificates of entries in the registers of births, deaths and Roman Catholic marriages for events occuring within the Dublin city and county area. This latter office, in particular, is currently experiencing a very high level of demand for certificates, which is the primary cause of the long queues outside the building and is also giving rise to delays in processing postal applications for certificates by that office.

While the General Register Office is operating a normal service to personal callers, there is approximately a four week delay in responding to postal applications for certificates in relation to current events with a longer delay in respect of applications for entries in the registers prior to 1900.

Measures are being taken to improve the situation. The Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the Superintendent Registrar's Office, has secured a lease on a premises adjoining the offices at Lombard Street East. However, I understand that it will take some weeks to occupy and commission the new offices. Consultations are taking place between officials of my Department and health board management regarding the additional staff required to develop an efficient customer oriented service, which will include facilities necessary to ensure the appropriate level of privacy is afforded to persons attending for the registration of events. I understand that, in the interim, the health board is taking immediate steps to improve staffing levels in the Superintendent Registrar's Office within the constraints of the existing accommodation in order to redress the problem and to minimise delays. These measures will considerably improve matters for the public attending at Joyce House.