Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1481. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when his Department will take over the responsibility for the payment of coroners fees and expenses in County Kerry; his views on whether these payments should not be the responsibility of the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44901/25]

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

Responsibility for the Coroner Service has been a matter for local authorities since the introduction of the modern coroner system in 1846.

The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is responsible for coronial legislation and policy and, since 2018, operational responsibility for the Dublin District Coroner’s Office.

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 launched a wide-ranging consultation to inform the development of proposals for comprehensive reform of the Coroner Service in Ireland. A report on the Public Consultation on reform of the Coroner Service was published in late 2024.

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.

- How the service is funded.