Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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465. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide clarification in relation to the recruitment process that is currently in place for coroners in view of the fact that two local authorities at present have vacancies which remain unfilled (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41579/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Coroner Service comprises the network of Coroners located in districts throughout the country.

All coronial districts, with the exception of Dublin, are the responsibility of the relevant local authority. Coroners are independent office holders whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. Neither I, as Minister, nor my Department has any function in the conduct of coronial business.

Coroners for the Dublin district are appointed by the Minister for Justice, whilst Coroners outside Dublin are appointed by local authorities.

Upon the retirement, death or resignation of a coroner, the Department will firstly consider the possibility of amalgamating coroner districts. This is in line with the Department’s ongoing policy of reducing the number of coroners and creating efficiency in the delivery of the coroner function in advance of the planned longer-term reform of this vital public service.

The amalgamation of coroner districts within the area of a single local authority is provided for under Section 7 of the Coroners Act 1962, as amended. An amalgamation will only happen after the Department has consulted with the relevant local authority and with the consent of the coroner whom it is being proposed will hold the office of coroner over the amalgamated districts.

Further, aligned with the intended reform of the Coroner Service, the practice has been that no permanent coroner is appointed where a vacancy arises. In such instances, the Deputy Coroner assumes the powers and duties of the coroner, in an acting capacity for as long as the vacancy continues.