Coroners Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

Questions (361)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

457 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number, location and salary scale of coroners employed county by county throughout the country; the extent if any of variation in salary or scale depending on location or region; the extent to which increases in workload are provided for or shared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28105/12]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

Under the Coroners Act, 1962, coroner remuneration is fixed by local authorities, with my approval, following consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Coroners are graded according to their work-load, and are paid a basic fee (a "retainer") which is intended to cover administration and support costs. This is either €12,807 (Grade 3), €17,932 (Grade 2) or €21,774 (Grade 1) per annum depending on the number of deaths dealt with. There are separate fees for the Dublin Coroner (€27,595) and the Cork City Coroner (€44,152).

Coroners are also paid fees per item of service in respect of each of the three core elements of their work - the number of deaths reported to them, the number of post mortems held and the number of inquests held. This means that increases in workload are reflected in remuneration. There is no provision for sharing of workload because a coroner's jurisdiction is confined to his/her district.

The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 provides for certain reforms in coronial matters, including an amalgamation of the Dublin County and City coronial districts, as well as other districts as vacancies arise, following appropriate consultation.

The table hereunder shows each of the coroner's grade.

	Grade
Carlow	Grade 2
Cavan	Grade 2
Clare	Grade 1
Cork South and West	Grade 1
Cork North	Grade 2
Donegal South West	Grade 3
Donegal North East	Grade 3
Donegal North West	Grade 2
Donegal South East	Grade 3
Galway North	Grade 3
Galway West	Grade 1
Galway East	Grade 1
Kerry North	Grade 3
Kerry South East	Grade 2
Kerry West	Grade 2
Kildare	Grade 1
Kilkenny	Grade 1
Leitrim	Grade 3
Laois	Grade 2
Limerick South East	Grade 1
Limerick West	Grade 3
Limerick City	Grade 3
Longford	Grade 3
Louth	Grade 1
Mayo East	Grade 3
Mayo South	Grade 1
Mayo North	Grade 3
Meath	Grade 1
Monaghan North	Grade 3
Monaghan South	Grade 3
Offaly	Grade 1
Roscommon	Grade 2
Sligo	Grade 1
Tipperary South	Grade 2
Tipperary North	Grade 1
Waterford East	Grade 3
Waterford West	Grade 3
Waterford City	Grade 2
Westmeath	Grade 2
Wexford	Grade 2
Wicklow West	Grade 3
Wicklow East	Grade 2