Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The phone line and email referred to by the Deputy are maintained by the Health Services Executive which operates the civil registration service.

I have been informed that the HSE are dealing with a large backlog of applications for certificates and registrations and that this is affecting the operation of their phone line and email service.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The HSE is responsible for the registration of birth and deaths. The Deputy will be aware of the significant impact of the recent cyber-attack on its ICT systems. I understand from the HSE that the registration services have been particularly affected in the Dublin area where the electronic transfer of birth data from maternity hospitals to the registration services has not been fully restored. A significant number of deaths await registration as a consequence of the registration system not being available to staff for at least four weeks.

Birth notification services have been significantly restored and the backlog of birth registrations is being cleared. I understand that good progress is being made with registering deaths. Staff in the Eastern Registration Office also have a backlog of certificates ordered by member of the public.

I am assured that the HSE has provided additional staff resources, consistent with ensuring social distancing in the workplace, to support existing staff to deal with the backlog caused by the disruption to registration services.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.