Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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264. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to examine the case of coroner's service funding (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5398/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Coroner Service comprises a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country.

I fully acknowledge the contribution local authorities make, both financial and otherwise, to the provision of the service by coroners in the various county and sub-county districts. Responsibility for the Coroner Service has been a matter for local authorities since the introduction of the existing coroner system in 1846.

Responsibility for the provision of financial and administrative supports to the Dublin District Coroner’s office was transferred from Dublin City Council to the Department of Justice in January 2018. Legislative change would be required for funding of the Coroner Service, outside of Dublin to be removed from the responsibility of local authorities.

On 20 October 2023, my predecessor, Ms Helen McEntee TD launched a wide-ranging consultation to inform the development of proposals for comprehensive reform of the Coroner Service in Ireland.

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

The consultation process included meetings with representatives from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and the County and City Management Association (CCMA) in order to hear their views on a reform of the coroner service.

A report on the Public Consultation on reform of the Coroner Service was published on 25 October 2024. The report noted the view of local authorities that the funding of the Coroner Service should be centralised with the Department of Justice. The report can be accessed here: www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/309630/0500ab51-f364-46da-892b-bb5868924eed.pdf#page=null.

In October 2024, Government approval was given to draft a general scheme of a Bill to significantly reform the Coroner Service to increase efficiencies and minimise the impact of the death investigation process on bereaved people. Department officials are currently working on drafting Heads of Bill in this regard, with the aim of bringing this before Government in late 2025.

The Heads of Bill will address all aspects of the Coroner Service including:

- Establishing an independent Office of the Chief Coroner, who will be responsible for setting standards, providing guidance and overseeing the activities of full-time salaried coroners, a model in line with best practice internationally.

- Enhancing the support available for families and friends of the bereaved throughout the death investigation process.

- Reforming the current approach for the provision of coroner-directed autopsies, to ensure that families across Ireland have equal access to pathology services and do not experience unnecessary delays.

- Reviewing the number of ‘reportable deaths’ that are required to be reported to a Coroner. Ireland currently reports significantly more deaths than comparable jurisdictions and consequently has cause to investigate many more deaths than might otherwise be required.

A restructured and modernised Coroner Service will drive consistency and will assist coroners to better meet the needs of bereaved people, through the provision of enhanced ICT, administrative and family liaison supports.