Written answers

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Department of Social Protection

Registration of Births

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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347. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the registration of children who are stillborn (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23228/14]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The loss of a child in any circumstances is an extremely tragic event and I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to those families who have lost a child. The voluntary registration of stillbirths is provided for 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 and shows 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.

Currently, there are no plans to amend the definition of stillbirth as provided for in the 2004 Act.

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