Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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1922. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the measures being taken to reduce delays in the processing of toxicology reports by the State Laboratory in Celbridge; the steps being taken to increase the number of pathologists available to carry out coronial post-mortem examinations in the mid-west region, specifically in the counties of Limerick, Clare, and parts of Tipperary, where there are currently only two part-time pathologists providing this critical service. [40868/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, Coroners are independent office holders and neither I, nor my Department has any role in directing the work of coroners during the death investigation function.

I can further advise the Deputy the State Laboratory is under the aegis of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. To be of assistance, my officials have made enquiries with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. The information provided by the State Laboratory is set out at the link below.

I am acutely conscious that any delay in carrying out coroner-directed post-mortems can be upsetting for bereaved families and loved ones. While the Department does not have a role in directing the work of the Coroner it does actively support coroners in carrying out their statutory functions.

It is important to note that the policy and operational responsibilities for the provision of postmortem examination services to support the work of the Coroner Service is supported by multiple departments and agencies. My Department is responsible for the legislation underpinning the work of coroners, while the provision of the postmortem examination service is largely provided through the health service.

Where a coroner deems a postmortem examination to be required, the coroner concerned will arrange the post-mortem examination to be conducted as expeditiously as possible to ensure timely release of remains to the next of kin of the deceased. Depending on the circumstances of the death, a post-mortem examination will be carried out by a pathologist or, in forensic cases, by the Office of the State Pathologist.

My Department is aware that securing the provision of the postmortem service for the coronial death investigation function is challenging for several reasons, including issues relating to the training and recruitment of pathologists, as well as competing demands on pathologists in areas of diagnostic and research work.

In April 2022, my Department established a ‘Standing Committee on the Provision of Coroner Directed PMEs’, membership of which consists of representatives from the department of Justice, the department of Health, the Health Service Executive, the Office of the State Pathologist, An Garda Síochána, the Coroners Society of Ireland, the Department of Housing, Local Authorities and Heritage and the Faculty of Pathology, Royal College of Physicians Ireland. The committee has met on a quarterly basis from Q3 2022 to consider issues relating to the provision of the pathology service.

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.

The Heads of Bill will address all aspects of the Coroner Service including reforming the current approach for the provision of coroner-directed autopsies.

The PME service is a critical component of the Coroner Service and consideration of autopsy’s is an important element of reforming the service. It is intended to bring Heads of Bill to Government in late 2025.