5
T
here were 18,844
births registered in
the second quarter of
2009, a decrease of just over
1% in the number of births
registered in the correspon-
ding quarter of 2008. The
number of births registered
remains high, the fourth
highest number recorded in
a quarter in recent years.
These figures are con-
tained in the Central
Statistics Office's Vital
Statistics Second Quarter
report.
Births in the second quar-
ter of 2009 represented an
annual birth rate of 16.9 per
1,000 population. The rate
for the corresponding quar-
ter of 2008 was 17.2 per
1,000 population and 14.6
per 1,000 population in quar-
ter 2 2000.
Fingal recorded the high-
est birth rate of 22.1 per
1,000 population, while
County Monaghan recorded
the lowest birth rate of 13.2
per 1,000 population.
Of the 18,844 births,
there were 6,114 births regis-
tered as outside marriage.
This accounted for 32.4% of
all births. Of these, 3,802
births were to unmarried
parents with the same
address, 20% of all births.
The highest percentage of
births outside marriage
occurred in Limerick city at
53%, while the lowest per-
centage occurred in County
Leitrim at 19%.
Births to first time moth-
ers (7,858) accounted for
42% of all births and second
time mothers (6,011)
accounted for a further 32%
of births. The average age of
mothers was 31.3 years. The
average age of mothers hav-
ing their first child was 29.1
years.
There were 7,020 deaths
registered in quarter 2 2009,
a decrease of over 7% in the
number of deaths registered
in the second quarter of
2008.
The second quarter of
2009 total represents a death
rate of 6.3 per 1,000 popula-
tion. This compares with 6.8
per 1,000 population in 2008
and 8.1 per 1,000 population
in 2000.
For those aged 65 and
over, the annual death rate
was 43.3 per 1,000 popula-
tion (5,356 deaths). This
compares with a rate of 48.6
per 1,000 population for the
corresponding quarter of
2008, an improvement of
almost 11%. The improve-
ment in this rate since 2000
was 23%.
There were 52 infant
deaths registered in quarter
2 2009 giving an infant mor-
tality rate of 2.8 deaths per
1,000 live births.
The number of neonatal
deaths (deaths of infants at
ages under 4 weeks) in quar-
ter 2 2009 was 41, 2.2 deaths
per 1,000 live births.
Over one third (34%) of
all deaths in the quarter
were attributed to circulato-
ry disease (2,374), while 29%
were attributed to malignant
neoplasms (2,024), 13% to
respiratory diseases (904)
and 6% to external causes
(441).
There were 5,342 mar-
riages registered in the second
quarter, 28 less than the corre-
sponding quarter of 2008 and
an increase of 672 from the
number of marriages regis-
tered in 2000. C
Power Reviews Haiti Report
T
he Irish Aid technical team, which has just returned from
Haiti, will report to the Minister of State for Overseas
Development, Peter Power, T.D., this week and make rec-
ommendations on Ireland's ongoing response to the earthquake.
Addressing the Seanad this evening during a special debate on
the Haitian crisis, Minister Power outlined the Government's swift
and coordinated response and pledged: "I can assure this House of
the Government's commitment to stand with the Haitian people
as they rebuild their shattered country."
Minister Power also authorized a second shipment of emer-
gency supplies to Haiti after hearing the Irish Aid technical team's
initial assessment. The team of four returned from Port-au-Prince
on Monday, having spent five days assessing the immediate and
medium-term humanitarian needs on the ground.
"I will meet the team this week to hear their recommendations
as to how we should direct our funding and respond more gener-
ally. These will be central to our approach to the ongoing human-
itarian situation in Haiti, as well as to our pledge at the internation-
al conference on Haiti in March.
"To date the total value of the Irish Government response both
financially and in kind is well in excess of 3 million. This figure
will undoubtedly increase further as the full picture of Haiti's
needs become clearer in the weeks leading up to the international
conference," he said.
Highlighting the urgent need for shelter, water and sanitation,
Minister Power said: "Nearly 200,000 people are sleeping in the
open in Haiti. In a matter of weeks the rainy season will begin and
Haiti will face a second humanitarian crisis if emergency shelter is
not provided.
"The Government is conscious of this danger and on Monday I
authorised a second Irish airlift of emergency supplies to Haiti.
This consists of tents and materials for use in building temporary
shelters, as well as containers and sanitation equipment.
"This 50-tonne consignment is in addition to the 84 tonnes
which we sent to Haiti last week and which was distributed by
Concern and Goal. Between these two consignments, the Irish tax-
payer is providing a roof and basic infrastructure for more than
12,000 Haitian families."
These consignments are in addition to 2 million in direct emer-
gency funding, Ireland's contribution of 20 million to the United
Nations' Central Emergency Relief Fund which is being drawn
upon to respond to the crisis and the deployment of three mem-
bers of Ireland's Rapid Response Corps.
"This Government commitment reflects the desire to the Irish
public to contribute to the relief of Haiti. This is clearly illustrated
by the extraordinary level of generosity towards appeals from
NGOs and UN agencies over the past few days.
Large sums have been donated at a time when many people are
feeling the effects of the recession. This level of generosity towards
and solidarity with the people of Haiti is something of which all of
us in Ireland can be proud. I commend each and every member of
the public who has contributed," Minister Power said.
He also paid tribute to the many Irish people working on the
relief effort in Haiti and once again extended the Government's
condolences to the people of Haiti, the family of Andrew Grene
and the families of all those working in Haiti who lost a loved
one. C
Number Of Births In Ireland
Falls In Second Quarter
IRISHEXAMINER|February2nd,2010
newsexaminer
GOAL volunteers leaving for Haiti (Photocall)

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