Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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536. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current regulatory framework that applies to funeral directors and crematoriums; and if he plans to introduce legislation to regulate the industry. [26859/24]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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538. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current regulatory framework that applies to funeral directors and crematoriums; and if he plans to introduce legislation to regulate the industry. [27282/24]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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539. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current regulatory framework that applies to funeral directors and crematoriums; and if he plans to introduce legislation to regulate the industry. [27283/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 536, 538 and 539 together.

The Department of Rural and Community Development has responsibility for policy and legislation in relation to local authority burial grounds while 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.

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 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.

In general, the establishment and operation of any such activity is subject, where applicable, to the provisions of legislation dealing with planning and development, environmental protection and air pollution.

I understand there are professional bodies for these activities with their own codes and standards, but my Department has no role in this regard.