Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

425. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a research project undertaken by the civil registration unit on the process of registration for babies born outside of the criteria for still birth and related matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23216/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I would like to emphasise at the outset that I am very conscious of the sensitivities relating to significant personal impacts in individual cases in this area.

It is important that should any changes be made, we must ensure the continued integrity and robustness of the civil registration system, including the registers maintained under that system. The registers that record vital life events are maintained in a manner consistent with international norms and ensure that the State’s obligations to keep proper population and public health statistics are fulfilled.

Research into the arrangements by relevant civil registration services for the registration of still births in other countries is almost complete. The relevant legislation in this area is the Stillbirths Registration Act 1994 which applies to a child born weighing 500 grammes or more, or having a gestational age of 24 weeks or more, who shows no sign of life. Such thresholds are a feature of stillbirth registrations internationally and are in line with World Health Organisation guidelines in this area.

I understand that these thresholds are currently under review in the Department of Health. Any future proposals for change in this area will be considered in the context of the outcome of that review.

Any further changes to the stillbirth register would require consideration and approval from the Government.