Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill and I welcome the Minister of State to the House. As my two colleagues have said, this Bill is very timely given what occurred during the Covid pandemic. It is also very timely for those who have experienced a stillbirth. I have dealt with several families that have unfortunately gone through this process. It is very welcome that such people will no longer have to make the declaration in person and will be able to do so online. A stillbirth represents a very difficult time for families, as has been said by my colleagues, so this Bill is a very important step forward. Much work has been done on this in the Houses and through various parties. It is all for the good of families at their most difficult time.

I have a question on the registration of deaths. I recently had to deal with six different departments to register the unfortunate death of a family's loved one. I am wondering whether the Bill will result in more efficiency, particularly through the Department of Social Protection, such that when a death is notified, all relevant Departments and the various pension authorities, etc., will also be notified. There is an issue concerning the death certificate, which is used by various Departments and particularly community welfare officials in respect of the funeral grant. I hope this legislation will assist in the process so information will be available on time and the process will be a lot easier for families. It is a very difficult time for families. I have been in several houses in recent years where I have had to sit down to fill out several forms and send several emails. This legislation presents an opportunity to streamline the system. I have stated at a meeting of the Oireachtas social protection committee that we need to do something like this. I hope that, through this Bill, we are starting to make it easier for families at their most difficult times. The Bill is very much welcomed by the Labour Party. It is an important step forward and an important step for so many families.