1,800 applications for baby-loss certificates in the first 24 hours

Some 1,800 applications were made for baby-loss certificates within the first 24 hours of the initiative being launched, the Stormont Assembly has heard.

The Baby Loss Certificate scheme was officially launched at Parliament Buildings on Monday by Finance Minister John O’Dowd and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.

It was designed as an act of recognition for parents who lose a baby in early pregnancy.

The scheme applies to baby losses before the end of week 24 of pregnancy, or before week 28 for losses before 1992.

It was welcomed as “wonderful news” by Sands NI, a charity which supports those who experience pregnancy or baby loss.

Mr O’Dowd told the Assembly on Tuesday that in the previous 24 hours, there had been 1,800 applications for the certifications.

“Which I think is a recognition of the parents out there who want to access these certificates and enter this process,” he told MLAs.

He had been responding during question time for his department.

Mr O’Dowd told MLAs he has asked to be kept updated on progress.

“I suspect there may be a number of glitches, just given the scale of numbers that will apply to this,” he said, and paid tribute to the team for getting the system up and running quickly with support from across the Civil Service.

“I suspect we will run into challenges, because as it becomes more and more known, more and more people will apply, but there is a determination within the team to make this work, and thus far that has proven to be the case.”

DUP MLA Peter Martin asked whether the minister had confidence the numbers of applications could be handled.

Mr O’Dowd responded: “We will continue to monitor the situation and where necessary we will bring in staff to ensure it (demand) is being met.”