Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
530. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has received a report from the HSE in respect of the backlog in making appointments for marriage notification which have to take place three months in advance; and if she plans to modify the legal obligation or make other changes to tackle this serious problem. [18203/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requirement to notify any registrar of an intention to marry is set out in section 46 of the Civil Registration Act 2004, as amended. The notification must be served not less than three months prior to the planned date of marriage. An exemption to this requirement applies where the couple have been granted a court order that allows them to serve notice within the three months.
My Department has not received a report from the HSE on backlogs in the notifications for marriages. The Deputy will be aware of the significant impact on the number of marriages that were able to take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the imposition of public health restrictions to contain the Covid-19 pandemic with many couples postponing marriage to a later date.
I am advised that the HSE is working to increase capacity to deal with the current level of demand from couples to serve notice of an intention to marry and also to complete the other necessary legal requirements prior to a marriage proceeding. The demand for civil marriage ceremonies which are performed by HSE marriage registrars has also increased significantly in 2022.
I have no immediate plans to amend the three month requirement as this is not considered a remedy to the current level of demand, which is a combination of marriages postponed over the course of the past two years and the general demand for marriages in any year.
I will bring the Deputy's concern to the attention of the HSE and ask that the General Register Office continue its engagements to identify if changes in operations can be implemented within the current legal framework.
I trust that this information is of benefit to the Deputy.
