Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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421. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality what was and is the statutory basis and authority for the application of FEMPI reductions to the remuneration of a sector (details supplied) in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21054/23]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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422. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality noting that a previous Minister for Justice gave a commitment to a society (details supplied) four years ago that the Government would remove and reverse the reductions in the remuneration imposed on them, when those reductions in their remuneration will be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21056/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 422 together.

The Coroner Service provides an important service to next of kin and society in general in seeking to explain the causes of death in those instances which are reportable by law.

Payments are made to Coroners by the Local Authority with responsibility for each District, with the exception of Dublin, on the basis of a basic retainer and a fee per item.

The fee reductions referred to formed part of the overall measures taken by Government at the time to reduce costs, including in respect of professional fees paid. All Coroners were advised of the reductions by letter In April 2009.

Departmental officials, at the request of the Coroner Society of Ireland, are currently considering the Coroners Society’s request to restore coronial fees to their pre-April 2009 levels. Restoration of the previous rate of fees requires consultation with the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government and the Local Authorities which fund Coroners outside of the Dublin district.