Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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1816. To ask the Minister for Health the measures she has taken to ensure the continuation of pathology and coroner services at UHW; if she has engaged with the Coroners association and the Department of Justice in order to find a solution to ensure the continuation of Coroner and Pathology services at UHW; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58686/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the situation at University Hospital Waterford regarding the provision of coronial post-mortem examination services.

I understand that the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, which has responsibility for coroners' legislation and policy, is actively engaging with all relevant stakeholders, including my Department and the HSE, to discuss these urgent issues.

Historically, the Health Service has assisted in the provision of coronial post-mortem services, on a ‘grace and favour’ basis. While Consultant Pathologists are employed by the HSE, coronial post-mortems are carried out independently for the Department of Justice.

Increasingly, the 'grace and favour' model is not working. Hospitals are withdrawing from the provision of coronial post-mortem examinations. The reasons for these withdrawals are diverse and complex. They include a shortage of consultant pathologists willing to undertake this work and increasing diagnostic workloads.

UHW conducts approximately 700 coronial post-mortems annually. In November 2024, the hospital informed the Department of Justice that it would cease providing these services from January 2026, as it can no longer guarantee service continuity to coroners.

Consented (i.e. non-coronial) post-mortem examinations will continue to be provided for the Health Service by pathologists at UHW. Also, the hospital’s mortuary facilities and supporting staff will continue to be available to support coronial post-mortem services.

My Department and the HSE continue to engage constructively with the Department of Justice to support a resolution to this issue. All stakeholders remain committed to ensuring the continuity, quality and efficiency of coroner directed post-mortem services.