Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
603. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 630, 633 and 634 of 9 June 2020, the operational status of the General Register and Civil Registration offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18371/20]
View answerThe General Register Office (GRO) has implemented measures, in consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), to support the continued provision of civil registration services, both at the onset of and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with other public service providers, restrictions on public access to civil registration offices operated by the HSE remain in place.
The Deputy will be aware that temporary measures were included in the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 to allow for the registration of births and deaths to be completed without the need for attendance before a registrar. These temporary measures are working well and will continue in place until the end of August 2020. Consideration is being given to extending these measures for a further period, on the advice of the GRO and HSE.
With respect to the completion of the legal preliminaries for marriage and civil marriage ceremonies, these are proceeding where they comply with public health guidance. Given other restrictions on the hospitality sector, many marriages have been postponed until later in the year or to next year.
The HSE is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Civil Registration Service. The GRO falls under the aegis of my Department. Both bodies continue to liaise on supporting members of the public to access and avail of services, notwithstanding the limitations arising from social distancing and ensuring a safe working environment for staff members and members of the public.
While there is significant disruption for all forms of marriage, the Deputy should note that there has been no discernible disruption to the vital work of registering births and deaths or in accessing the civil certificate issuing services or maintaining the other registration services provided by the GRO and HSE.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
