Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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405. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the arrangements in place for those who need a birth certificate to be able to obtain one in circumstances in which they do not have access to a bank card for online or phone payment. [23102/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A person can apply for a certificate using one of three methods:

1) Online by visiting the HSE website certificates.ie,

2) By e-mailing the General Register Office and submitting an online application form, or

3) By calling to their local Civil Registration Office

Applications for certificates using 1) and 2) above can be paid for online or by using a bank card only while applications submitted at a local Civil Registration Office can be paid for using cash. I have been advised by the General Register Office that local Civil Registration Offices are re-opening on a phased basis with limited cash services in place. Members of the public should contact their local Civil Registration Office prior to attending to find out whether cash is accepted when applying for a certificate.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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406. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which a person who needs a birth certificate for social protection purposes can currently obtain one at the reduced fee. [23103/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As a general practice, a person will not be required to provide a birth or other life event certificate to an office of the Department of Social Protection if the event was registered in Ireland. Should a certificate be required, any local registration office will be able to provide a certificate without charge on production of a written requested from the Department.

The Deputy should note that all of my Department's offices, including Intreo Centres, have access to the computer system that holds the records of all Irish birth and other life events without a need for a copy to be produced.

I hope that this addresses the Deputy's queries.