Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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141. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the ongoing review of the coroner’s service following the closure of the public consultation in January 2024; to provide a timeline for the publication of the reports; the parameters of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24184/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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On 20 October 2023, I launched a wide-ranging consultation to inform the development of proposals for comprehensive reform of the Coroner Service in Ireland. Public consultation closed on 19 January 2024.

The consultation provided an opportunity for members of the public, stakeholder groups and members of the Oireachtas to express their views, express observations and provide proposals on how the Coroner Service might be enhanced into the future.

My Department sought submissions in relation to four key areas:

• Structure and Roles;
• Pathology and Related Services;
• Reportable Deaths; and
• Inquests.

My Department has also established an Advisory Committee to support the consultation process. Members include representatives from the Department of Justice, the Coroners Society of Ireland, the Department of Health, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Local Authorities, the Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána, the Office of the State Pathologist, the Royal College of Physicians - Faculty of Pathology, an independent expert, and two members of the public who have experience of engaging with the coroner service.

In order to reach as many interested parties as possible, officials from my Department sent more than 500 emails to individuals and stakeholder groups encouraging them to take part every member of the Oireachtas. As well as the surveys, my Department provided a specific email address for any party who wished to make a written submission. Department officials also held a large number of bilateral meetings with key stakeholders.

Links to the surveys were shared on my Department's social media channels a number of times throughout the consultation period, to further extend public awareness of the consultation.

I am pleased to say that there was a very high level of public engagement in the consultation process with approximately 250 submissions received across both surveys.

My officials are currently analysing the information gathered during the consultation process with a view to publishing a report on the main themes emerging from the Consultation later this year. I intend to bring forward proposals for the reform of the service thereafter.