Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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714. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality what plans are in place for the district of Kerry north, in view of the fact that the coroner there is due to retire shortly and that no deputy coroner has been appointed for this area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44071/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department values the very important service provided by Coroners to the bereaved.

The Coroners Act 1962, as amended makes a number of provisions to ensure the continuance of this essential public service. In circumstances where a Coroner is absent or where a vacancy arises (due to the death, retirement or resignation) in the office of Coroner, a Deputy Coroner will act as Coroner to the relevant district for as long as the vacancy / absence continues.

The legislation also makes provision of the appointment of a Temporary Coroner to a district in certain circumstances such as where the workload of the district demands such an appointment.

The sitting coroner for Kerry North and West is due to retire later this year, creating a vacancy in the Office of Coroner. I am currently considering the amalgamation of the Kerry North and West coronial districts with those of the Kerry East and South coronial districts.

If such a determination is made, the amalgamation will be effective upon the appointment of the Coroner to Kerry East and South to the Office of Coroner for the Kerry North and West Coronial districts.

The appointment of a Deputy Coroner is a function of the Coroner. In all coronial districts outside of Dublin, the person to be appointed Deputy by the Coroner is subject to the approval of the relevant local authority and the Minister for Justice.

I am aware of a small number of districts outside of the Dublin district that currently do not have a Deputy Coroner. Officials within my Department are continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders with a view to the appointment of Deputy Coroners in the near future.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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715. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware that there are a number of coronial districts without a duly appointed deputy due the embargo by local authorities in approving any coronial or deputy coronial appointment outside of Dublin; what steps will be taken to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44072/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Under Section 13 of the Coroners Act 1962, as amended, the appointment of a Deputy Coroner is a function of the Coroner.

In all coronial districts outside of Dublin, the person to be appointed Deputy by the Coroner is subject to the approval of the relevant local authority and the Minister for Justice.

I am aware of a small number of districts outside of the Dublin district that do not have a Deputy Coroner. Officials within my Department are continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders with a view to the appointment of Deputy Coroners in the near future.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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716. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she can confirm, in light of previous guarantees, that though Dublin coroners will be classed as civil servants from February 2025, their independence will be secured; what written guarantees are currently in place to ensure the independence of Dublin coroners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44075/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Coroners (Amendment) Act 2024, which the President signed into law on 16 February 2024, is intended to ensure continuity of coroner services in the Dublin district.

Section 2 of the Act provides that the Minister for Justice, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, stipulates the terms and conditions under which appointments of coroners for the Dublin district will be made. This section further provides for coroners in the Dublin district to be appointed as civil servants of the State.

Officials in my Department worked closely with officials in the Office of the Attorney General to ensure that the appointment of coroners as civil servants of the State would not impinge on the independent role of the coroner under the Coroners Act 1962.

I am satisfied that the designation of a coroner as a “Civil Servant of the State” is not inconsistent with the independent nature of the office. I can assure the Deputy that there is no intention to undermine the independence of the role in this Act, or indeed as part of the wider reform programme.

On the 21 February 2024, three coroners were appointed on a temporary basis for a twelve-month period. Discussions are continuing with DPENDPR in relation to recruitment of salaried coroners to the Dublin district as provided for in the Act.