Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 May 2014
217. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to change the ruling whereby a death certificate cannot be issued for a stillborn baby because they were underweight; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20239/14]
View answerThe loss of a child in any circumstances is an extremely tragic event and I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to those families who have lost a child through stillbirth. The voluntary registration of stillbirths is provided for in section 28 of the Civil Registration Act 2004. The definition of a “stillborn child” is contained in section 2(1) of that Act and provides that a stillborn child means a child who, at birth, weighs not less than 500 grammes or has a gestational age of not less than 24 weeks and shows no sign of life.
Registration of stillbirths was first provided for in the Stillbirths Registration Act 1994. The definition of a stillbirth contained in that Act was carried forward to the 2004 Act. When the 1994 Act was passed by the Oireachtas, detailed consideration was given as to what the most appropriate definition of a stillbirth should be. The position varies from country to country. Some countries use gestational age only, while others use weight, or a combination of both. Currently, there are no plans to amend the definition of stillbirth as provided for in the Act.
