Vol. 451 No. 8
196 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Justice her policy regarding the remuneration paid to coroners and the provision of ongoing training for coroners; and if she will have arrangements made for a review in this matter. [7308/95]
The statutory provisions governing the payment of the salaries of coroners are set out in Section 9 of the Coroners Act, 1962. The salary of each coroner is paid by the local authority by whom he or she is appointed and is deemed to be inclusive of any travelling, subsistence or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the coroner in the course of duties as coroner. As Minister for Justice, my function in the matter is to approve, after consultation with the Minister for the Environment, the salary which each local authority is to pay.
On this basis, the Coroners' Association of Ireland, whom I met recently, have made a submission to my Department seeking a review of coroners' salaries and my Department is considering that submission in conjunction with the Departments of Finance and the Environment.
My Department is also looking into the question of training for coroners and I will be in touch with the Coroners' Association in due course to inform them of any developments on this issue.
