Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021
162. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the way her Department will process applications for various social protection payments that require certificates such as birth or death registration given that the recent cyber-attack seems to be impacting the ability to obtain these documents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34950/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recent cyber-attack on the Health Service Executive has impacted the registration of all births, deaths and marriages. Registration of births, deaths and marriages ceased between the 14th May and the 11th of June. The HSE has now resumed registration services but, I am advised, it will take several weeks to clear the backlog of registrations, particularly in the Greater Dublin Area.Where delays have occurred in the registration of births, my Department will automatically pay any arrears in Child Benefit to families following registration. Child dependant payments on other social welfare payments will also automatically adjust following completion of a birth registration and assignment of a Personal Public Service Number to the child. Following the registration of a death, social welfare payments will be stopped automatically where they were in place for the deceased person. Where families are in need of financial support, they may be entitled to supplementary welfare payments. Information on access to these payments is available at local Intreo Centres. As a general rule, certificates are not required to access social welfare services as staff in scheme areas are provided with electronic access to the Civil Registration Computer System maintained by the General Register Office.I hope this information is of assistance.
