Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There was an unexpected increase in the number of samples submitted to the coroner's office to date, which led to a backlog. There was also a delay in potential prosecution oil samples for the Revenue Commissioners, which were carried into 2016 from last year due to a large increase in sample numbers. As the State Laboratory has been operating with a staff deficit in the laboratory analyst grade since mid 2015, it will not be possible to clear these backlogs until the vacant positions are filled. We have now implemented a recruitment campaign, organised through the Public Appointments Service, and we hope to fill these positions in the next few months to deal with the timeliness of these services.