Written answers
Wednesday, 1 May 2024
Department of Rural and Community Development
Burial Grounds
Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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332. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures that are in place to ensure consistent oversight of burial ground management practices across all local authorities; how frequently these measures are reviewed for effectiveness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19553/24]
Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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333. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development given the critical role of burial ground management in public health and community welfare, if she will provide details of any existing national standards for these practices; if same do not exist, if she will provide an explanation for the absence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19554/24]
Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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334. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide insights into any known negative practices arising from the lack of standardisation in burial ground management across local authorities; the steps that are being considered to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19555/24]
Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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335. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development how her Department ensures it maintains adequate knowledge and expertise about sector specific challenges in burial ground management to provide effective guidance and support to local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19556/24]
Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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336. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is a formal mechanism for local authorities to report issues or challenges back to her Department concerning burial ground management and practices; if so, how this information is actioned to improve sector-wide practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19557/24]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 332, 333, 334, 335 and 336 together.
My Department has legislative responsibility for local authority burial grounds, however the actual operation of burial grounds (cemeteries) is the responsibility of the local authorities.
Under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 2001, local authorities are deemed to be burial boards for their respective functional areas. Acting in their capacity as burial boards, local authorities are responsible for the management, regulation and control of burial grounds in their functional areas.
Local authorities also have powers to make bye-laws in relation to burial grounds. They may appoint a registrar or caretaker for each of their burial grounds to manage the site, and in some cases to maintain the burial ground.
Regulations are currently in place regarding burials and burial grounds, namely Part III of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878, as amended in Part VI of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948 and more recently, the Local Government Acts, 1994 and 2001, and also in the Rules and Regulations for the Regulation of Burial Grounds 1888 and amendments thereto.
Having regard to other priorities and the broader range of legislative priorities to be progressed across my Department's remit, there are currently no plans to introduce new regulations in this area.
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