THE number of births outside marriage continue to rise. Last year, there were 10,507 unmarried mothers aged 17 years and over, compared to 9,557 the previous year, 9,444 in 1993 and 8,926 in 1992.
A total of 259 girls under 17 years gave birth last year and the figures for the previous years were 242 in 1994, 231 in 1993 and 229 in 1992.
The figures were revealed by the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Mr Jim Higgins, in reply to the Fianna Fail spokesman on law reform, Mr Willie O'Dea.
When Mr O'Dea asked if the Government had any social and economic policies designed to discourage women having children out of wedlock, the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Sean Treacy, said that the question was purely statistical and the House could not enter into the area of policy.