T5. Mrs Dillon asked the Minister of Finance whether her Department is considering the introduction of baby loss certificates. (AQT 155/22-27)

I have a response on baby loss certificates. Just give me a second to find it.

[Pause.]

Sorry, I have lost my answer, but this is obviously a very sensitive issue, and I have asked officials to look at it. We want to give recognition to parents. We want to consider the issue fully.

Thank you, Minister. As you said, this is a very sensitive issue for any family that has lost a child. It is really important to those parents and families that there is recognition of the loss of their child and of the fact that their child existed. Will you confirm that the responsibility for issuing baby loss certificates comes under your Department and that, if possible, you would issue them retrospectively for parents who have already suffered the loss of a child?

I am aware that the Health Minister is also looking into the issue and is engaging with officials in the Department of Health and Social Care in England on the baby loss certificate scheme that they have put in place. I will reach out to the Health Minister to look at where we can work together to bring forward appropriate measures to do the same here. I have asked my officials to look at the issue in respect of the responsibilities that my Department has, but, clearly, we have to look across Departments as well.

Paul Frew has withdrawn his question.