Ivan Yates
Question:144 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health and Children if the issuing of a death certificate for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be expedited in view of the family circumstances. [7376/99]
Written Answers. - Death Certificates.
The administration of the registration system, is statutorily a matter for An tArd-Chláraitheoir (Registrar-General) of Births, Deaths and Marriages and for the superintendent registrars and registrars who operate under his general direction.
I have had inquiries made of An tArd-Chláraitheoir and I understand that the report of the post-mortem cannot be finalised, until the results of tests have been furnished by the histopathology department of Waterford Regional Hospital. When the report of the above-mentioned post-mortem becomes available, the coroner will determine whether or not an inquest is necessary. The registrar must await the decision of the coroner before registering the death.
I appreciate the situation of the family of the deceased but, as I have previously indicated in my reply to a similar questions, the provision of services in the histopathology department at Waterford Regional Hospital is a matter for the South-Eastern Health Board in the first instance. The board is committed to the continued development of these services in consultation with my Department and I note that the board recently held interviews for the appointment of a fourth consultant histopathologist for the region and is actively seeking to recruit additional histopathology technicians.