John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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281. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason parents can only receive a death certificate for a stillborn child if the baby weighed at least 500 grammes or had a gestational age of at least 24 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20129/13]

John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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282. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider allowing parents to register a death of a stillborn child weighted less than 500 grammes or with a gestational age of less than 24 weeks in order that they can have a death certificate for their child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20130/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 282 together.

Provision for the voluntary registration of stillbirths is contained in section 28 of the Civil Registration Act 2004. The definition of a "stillborn child" is contained in section 2(1) of that Act and provides that a stillborn child means a child who, at birth, weighs not less than 500 grammes or has a gestational age of not less than 24 weeks. In addition to either of these two criteria the child must show no sign of life.

Registration of stillbirths was first provided for in the Stillbirths Registration Act 1994. The definition of a stillbirth contained in that Act was carried forward to the 2004 Act. When the 1994 Act was passed by the Oireachtas, detailed consideration was given as to what the most appropriate definition of a stillbirth should be. The position varies from country to country. Some countries use gestational age only, while others use weight, or a combination of both. The preferred criterion of the World Health Organisation is weight, as it is more objectively determined than gestational age. At the time, it was considered that the definition of a stillbirth should be as wide as possible, consistent with accepted medical norms, and it is on this basis that the criteria described above were decided upon.

It is very distressing for families trying to deal with tragic circumstances such as these. Should clarification be required in relation to the registration of births, deaths or still births the local registrar should be contacted.