Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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839. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the introduction of a certificate (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14105/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I appreciate and acknowledge the devastating impact that pregnancy loss can have on families. The Civil Registration (Electronic Registration) Act 2024 has expanded access to the stillbirth register for those who can request a certificate. Changes were made, through the Act, to the criteria for the registration of stillbirths with a reduction of the weight and gestational age thresholds. These changes mean that more babies will now be included on the official register of stillbirths.

The Civil Registration Act is the responsibility of the Minister for Social Protection.

As part of the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy, Bereavement Specialist Teams have been established in all 19 maternity hospitals/units across the country, to assist and support parents, families and professionals dealing with pregnancy loss. We are currently assessing the implementation of a number of maternity service reforms to which we have committed within the Programme for Government, including the development of a successor to the National Maternity Strategy.