Pat Carey
Question:380 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if it was ever the practice of his Department to issue birth certificates to stillborn children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11739/02]
Written Answers. - Birth Certificates.
The administration of the registration system is a matter for An tArd-Chláraitheoir (the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages) and for local registrars who operate under his general direction.
The Stillbirths Registration Act 1994, No. 1 of 1994), which came into effect on 1 January 1995, made provision for the registration of stillbirths, including the registration of stillbirths which occurred prior to the commencement of the Act. The Act applies to a child born weighing 500 grammes or more or having a gestational age of 24 weeks or more, who shows no sign of life at birth. The local registrar of births deaths and marriages may provide a certified copy of the entry in the stillbirth register at the time of the registration to the parent(s) signing the stillbirth register. A parent may also apply thereafter for a copy of the entry in the register from An tArdChláraitheoir.