Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I want to focus on the Justice Estimate and raise two specific points. We had the introduction of the Coroners Bill some weeks ago by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and it is now on Committee Stage. That provides for the introduction of a full-time service. In the Bill's explanatory memorandum the financial implications indicate the cost of the service at the moment is around €5 million, which is funded by local government, but the annual cost of a full-time service would be €8 million to €10 million when fully established. There is an increase in the Estimate for the coroners' service of €163,000. Given that it is expected that legislation will be passed shortly, I wonder whether that Estimate is adequate.

An ancillary question is whether central government will be taking over the funding of that service from the local authorities and perhaps the Minister might clarify that. One further aspect to the Justice Estimate is the fact the Minister has mentioned value for money reviews. There is provision for a 43% reduction in the expenditure on the reviews in the Department. Will the Minister explain that reduction, which seems to go against the objective of constant value for money reviews?