Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the applications processed by her Department; the average waiting time to process each application; the steps which she is taking to speed up the processing time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25134/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question does not refer to any specific type of application but it is assumed may refer to applications to the General Register Office for certificates of life events or to applications for funding from the National Lottery.

Statutory responsibility for the administration of Civil Registration in Ireland rests with An tÁrd-Chláraitheóir (Registrar General). Árd-Chláraitheóir receives applications from members of the public relating to the wide range of services provided by the General Register Office. The General Register Office is the central repository for records of all life events occurring in the State.

A total of 36,000 applications were made in 2006 to the General Register Office for copies of entries in the registers of births, stillbirths, adoptions marriages and deaths (including photocopies). Applications for certified copies are usually processed within 3 to 5 days. The General Register Office provides a walk-in service in respect of searches of its indexes. Applications in person for photocopies for research purposes are generally processed on a same day basis or at times of peak demand within 24 hours.

Part 6 of the Civil Registration Act 2004, which includes a requirement that marriages be solemnised by a registered solemniser, came into effect from 5 November. The Act provides that religious bodies may apply to have members registered in the register of solemnisers. Nominating bodies were given notice of the requirement well in advance of the commencement date and approximately 5,000 applications have been processed. Current applications are being processed on the day of receipt.

To date there have been three applications for a correction to entries in the register of stillbirths. The time taken to process such applications varies, depending on the complexity of each case.

A total of 162 applications were made to my Department for funding from the National Lottery in 2007. There is a protocol in my Department for processing applications for National Lottery grants. When a completed application form is received it is registered and then forwarded to the relevant Service Division for its assessment, evaluation and recommendation. In addition, the views of the Health Service Executive are necessarily sought on a large number of applications. All applications are then considered in the context of the recommendations of my Department and the HSE and the overall level of funds available. Assessments are carried out on an ongoing basis, and the funding is generally awarded twice a year. Every effort is made to decide applications as speedily as possible.

To date grants have been approved in respect of 72 applications, 49 applications have been processed and are awaiting final approval, 34 applications are being assessed and 2 applications have been withdrawn. 5 applications were not properly completed and could not be processed.