Local Civil Registration Office closure is “temporary”: HSE

The HSE has confirmed plans to re-open the Civil Registration Office in Tullamore “early in 2024” following its shock decision to close the service just before Christmas.

The HSE has apologised for the “inconvenience this temporary closure will cause the people of Offaly” in a statement issued to the Offaly Independent this week, and added that “every effort” had been made to keep the service open.

While acknowledging that the Civil Registration Office is “an important service” the HSE statement said the recent public service “recruitment pause” has limited the ability of the organisation to recruit staff. “Current industrial action also challenges our regional ability to fill vacancies during this temporary period,” it added.

The decision to close the service – which registers all births, deaths and marriages in Offaly, and is also licenced to carry out civil marriage ceremonies – was raised this week by Kinnitty-based Fine Gael Councillor John Clendennen, who said it will “leave a void” for births, deaths and marriage certificates that will see anyone living in Offaly “expected to travel to Longford or Westmeath to avail of service. “

A sign posted at the entrance to the Civil Registration Office, which is located in the HSE Health Centre on the Arden Road in Tullamore, advises people that the service is closed “until further notice” with effect from Friday, December 22, and apologises for the inconvenience. Anyone wishing to register a birth, death or marriage in either the Mullingar, Portlaoise or Longford Civil Registration office is advised to phone for an appointment. The HSE has said that the recruitment of Civil Registration staff in Tullamore is “among our Primary Care Service priority posts to be recruited in 2024” and that the offices will re-open “as staffing levels allow.”

In the interim, it moved to reassure the public that the Civil Registration service in the Midlands offers “alternative access to its services” and has outlined the ways in which the service can be accessed:

1. The public can purchase a certificate by phoning 090 6424601 or 090 6424884.

2. Members of the public can also make an appointment to register a birth, death or marriage in the Mullingar, Portlaoise or Longford office by phoning 090 6424601 or 090 6424884.