Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he is satisfied that the registration system for births is robust and free of fraud; the actions his Department has taken to quality assure the current service; if he is satisfied that language skills within the service are adequate and that information provision about the service is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5251/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The legislative provisions governing the registration of births are contained in the Civil Registration Act 2004. When a birth occurs in the State, it is the duty of the hospital to notify the registrar of the facts of the birth. When a birth takes place other than in a hospital or nursing home, and the birth was attended by a medical practitioner or midwife, it is the duty of that person to notify the registrar of the facts of the birth. This ensures that the facts concerning virtually all births occurring in the State are independently notified. Births which have not occurred in a hospital or nursing home, or which were not attended by a registered medical practitioner or a midwife, are extremely rare. In such cases, every effort is made to independently establish the facts of the birth.

Under section 19 of the 2004 Act, the primary responsibility for registering a birth rests with the parents. When the parents present at the registrar's office to register the birth, the registrar will already be in possession of the independent birth notification. It is only when the parents are dead or cannot be found that another qualified informant may register a birth. When the parents and the registrar are satisfied that the facts to be entered in the register are correct or complete, the parents must sign the register in the presence of the registrar to complete the registration process. At the time of registration, the parents or other qualified informants must present evidence of identity, typically a passport or driving licence. Where parents indicate that they are married, verification of their marital status is made by examination of their marriage certificate. The Personal Public Service Numbers of the parent or parents is required for registration. Section 69 of the 2004 Act provides for offences, which include a failure by a registrar to protect the integrity of the register and a failure by the parents to comply with their statutory obligations under the Act, including the obligation to provide accurate information to the registrar.

These obligations are explained to parents as part of the registration process. If an error or omission has occurred in a registered entry, the Act provides for the correction of errors on the basis of statutory declarations and other independent evidence as to the facts of the matter. On the basis of the foregoing, I am satisfied that all reasonable measures are in place to preserve and protect the integrity of the register of births.