Vol. 517 No. 3
1 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Taoiseach the number of babies born in each of the years from 1995 to 1999; the numbers born to married mothers and unmarried mothers in these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8838/00]
In the period January to September 1999, which are the most recent figures available, 40,813 births were registered. Of these, 12,651, or 31%, were to unmarried mothers. Statistics for the full year for 1999 will be published by the CSO in May. The following table sets out the corresponding figures for the years 1995 to 1998, inclusive.
Births within and outside marriage, 1995-99.
|
Year |
Total |
Married |
Unmarried |
%Unmarried |
|
1995 |
48,787 |
37,925 |
10,862 |
22.3% |
|
1996 |
50,655 |
37,858 |
12,797 |
25.3% |
|
1997 |
52,311 |
38,419 |
13,892 |
26.6% |
|
1998 |
53,551 |
38,418 |
15,133 |
28.3% |
|
1999(Jan-Sept) |
40,813 |
28,162 |
12,651 |
31.0% |
Note: The data for 1995 and 1996 relate to births which took place in those years. For later years, the table shows births by period of registration.
(Mayo): I thank the Minister of State for his reply. How do the figures regarding single motherhood in Ireland, where the number of children born outside marriage increased from one in every five six years ago to one in every three last year, compare to figures in other EU countries? Does he have that statistic to hand?
I do not have the international comparative figures. However, I will get them and bring them to the Deputy's attention. As the Deputy said, there is a definite trend. In 1995, 22% of all births were to unmarried mothers. Last year the figure was 31% while in 1980 it was 5%. Therefore, it has risen from 5% in 1980 to 31% in 1999. It is interesting to note that, in 1998, 46% of all births in the Dublin area were to unmarried mothers. That figure will probably approach 50% this year.
(Mayo): Has there been research to discover how many of the 10,862 babies born in 1995 are in single or joint parenting environments? Has a sociological profile been carried out in this regard?
That matter might be the subject of another question.
(Mayo): Will the Minister of State consider recommending to the CSO that a question on this matter might be considered appropriate, on a once-off basis, for inclusion in either the forthcoming census or in a quarterly household survey.
That is an interesting idea and I will ask the CSO to consider the inclusion of such a question. It is also interesting that, in 1980, 40% of all births to unmarried mothers were to teenagers. By 1998, of the total number of babies born to unmarried mothers, only 20% were born to teenagers. This shows that the number of teenage mothers is decreasing.
