Vol. 537 No. 1
15 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views of whether difficulties can arise due to the insistence on the production of the long form of the birth certificate by mothers applying for child benefit, particularly after marital breakdown; and if he will arrange to relax the rule and accept other proof of birth in such circumstance. [14774/01]
Child benefit is payable to one of a child's parents under legislation which prioritises the right of a mother or step-mother to payment. The long birth certificate is required as verification of the child's birth and to identify the child's parents with a view to determining the entitlement of the person making the claim to receive payment.
The long form of the birth certificate provides complete and accurate data on an individual's unique identity which can be used for subsequent dealings with the public service.
I am aware that difficulties may arise from time to time in meeting these requirements and in these instances alternative proofs will be accepted as long as the fundamental identity and relationship requirements are satisfactorily met.
The modernisation of the civil registration system currently under way means that in the future it will be possible for the Department to receive on-line details of births and this would eliminate the need for obtaining birth certificates in these cases.
