Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 205: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to address the serious backlog of cases still in existence at the State Laboratory since its move to new premises in County Kildare; if he intends to increase the level of staffing at the State Laboratory in the foreseeable future; the percentage by which he intends to increase funding for the State Laboratory in budget 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29617/05]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason persons (details supplied) in Dublin 2 have to date been waiting for four months and have been told that they will be waiting for eight months, for the return of toxicology reports from the State Laboratory; if he will take steps to intervene in this case; if he will take steps to intervene in all cases referred to the State Laboratory by the Coroners Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29618/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together.

The State has invested some €80 million in building and equipping new world class laboratory facilities for the State Laboratory at Backweston. With the completion of the move the State Laboratory is now better placed to deliver an enhanced analytical service for its clients. Inevitably, during the period of the actual move there was some temporary disruption to services. However, I am assured by the laboratory management that turn around times are now back to previous levels and are continuing to improve.

Additional resources have been allocated over the years to the State Laboratory. Additionally, my Department has recently sanctioned the permanent retention of six temporary posts associated with the move of the laboratory to Backweston. It is worth pointing out the significant increase in the number of samples being sent to the State Laboratory and a general increase in the complexity of the analyses now being undertaken. Nevertheless, as a result of improvement in procedures and additional resources, laboratory management has managed to reduce turnaround times by half during the period April 2004 to April 2005.

I am conscious of the importance of the service provided to the coroners by the State Laboratory and the impact it inevitably has on relatives of people whose deaths are the subject of inquests at a time of great distress. The management of the laboratory shares that sensitivity and constantly monitors the service by reviewing available resources, outsourcing possibilities and the complexity of analyses.

I am informed that the State Laboratory is expected to receive today the samples referred to for analysis. I understand that relevant analyses will be carried out at an early date and reports issued accordingly.