40. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will report on the work of the General Register Office regarding the development of a process to recognise early pregnancy loss. [67537/26]

The General Register Office (GRO) is currently involved in the development of proposals for a scheme to recognise early pregnancy loss.

It is envisaged that any proposed scheme would allow for a voluntary register to be established to commemorate the loss of a child which does not meet the stillbirth criteria.

Officials from the GRO are engaging with colleagues from other jurisdictions where similar schemes of recognition have been implemented.  A further meeting with the GRO in Northern Ireland is scheduled for later this week in which the operation of the Northern Ireland scheme will be discussed in more detail.

The GRO are also engaging with various groups and bodies in the State on this proposal.  In July, a presentation from the GRO on how such a scheme could operate in the State was presented to representatives from the Cross Party Oireachtas Group on Pregnancy and Infant Loss, Féileacáin, and Miscarriage Association of Ireland.

The GRO are also liaising with officials from the Departments of Health, Children, Disability and Equality; Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in relation to the development of the scheme.

I want to assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to the introduction of the scheme as soon as is practically possible.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.