Written Answers Nos. 216-229
216. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the areas covered by each of the 314 school planning areas; the boundaries of each of these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51963/17]
View answerAs the Deputy has indicated, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
The 314 school planning areas nationwide are listed in the following tables.
|
School Planning Areas |
|
Abbeyfeale |
|
Achill |
|
Adamstown |
|
Ardee |
|
Arklow |
|
Ashbourne |
|
Askeaton/Foynes/Shanagolden/Pallaskenry |
|
Athboy |
|
Athenry |
|
Athlone |
|
Athy |
|
Bagenalstown |
|
Bailieborough |
|
Balbriggan |
|
Balla |
|
Ballaghadereen |
|
Ballina |
|
Ballinakill |
|
Ballinamore |
|
Ballinasloe |
|
Ballincollig |
|
Ballingarry |
|
Ballingeary |
|
Ballinrobe |
|
Ballinteer_Stepaside_DLR |
|
Ballintemple_CorkCity |
|
Ballisodare |
|
Ballybay |
|
Ballybrack_Shankill_DLR |
|
Ballybunion |
|
Ballyfermot_D10 |
|
Ballygar |
|
Ballyhale |
|
Ballyhaunis |
|
Ballyjamesduff |
|
Ballymahon |
|
Ballymote |
|
Ballyshannon_Donegal |
|
Ballyvorney |
|
Baltinglass |
|
Banada_Tubbercurry |
|
Banagher |
|
Bandon |
|
Bantry |
|
Bawnboy |
|
Beaumont_CoolockD5 |
|
Belmullet |
|
Belturbet |
|
Birr |
|
Blanchardstown_West_D15 |
|
BlanchardstownVge_D15 |
|
Blarney |
|
Blessington |
|
Boharbue |
|
Booterstown_Blackrock |
|
Borris |
|
Borrisokane |
|
Borrisoleigh |
|
Boyle |
|
Bray |
|
Bridgetown |
|
Bruff_Hospital |
|
Bunclody |
|
Buncrana |
|
Bush |
|
Buttevant |
|
Cabra_Phibsboro_D7 |
|
Caherciveen_Waterville |
|
Cahir |
|
Callan |
|
Carlow |
|
Carna |
|
Carndonagh |
|
Carnew |
|
Carpenterstown_D15 |
|
Carraroe |
|
Carrick |
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
|
Carrick-on-Suir |
|
Carrickmacross |
|
Carrigaline |
|
Carrigallen |
|
Carrignavar |
|
Cashel |
|
Castlebar |
|
Castleblakeney_Mountbellew |
|
Castleblaney |
|
Castlecomer |
|
Castledermot |
|
Castlegregory |
|
Castleisland |
|
Castleknock_D15 |
|
Castlepollard |
|
Castlerea |
|
Castletownbere |
|
Causeway |
|
Cavan |
|
Celbridge |
|
Charlestown |
|
Clara |
|
Claremorris |
|
Clifden |
|
Clonakilty |
|
Clonaslee |
|
Clondalkin_D22 |
|
Clones |
|
Clonmel |
|
Coachford |
|
Cobh |
|
Coola Cross |
|
Cootehill |
|
Cornamona |
|
Croom |
|
Crosshaven |
|
Crossmolina |
|
Curragh |
|
Darndale_D17 |
|
Dingle |
|
Dolphin's Barn_D12 |
|
Donabate |
|
Donaghmede_Howth_D13 |
|
Donegal |
|
Doneraile |
|
Doon_Cappamore |
|
Drogheda |
|
Dromcollogher |
|
Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1 |
|
Drumkeerin |
|
Drumshanbo |
|
Dublin_6w |
|
Dublin_8 |
|
Dublin2_Dublin4 |
|
Dublin6_Clonskeagh |
|
Dunboyne |
|
Dundalk |
|
Dungarvan |
|
Dungloe |
|
Dunlaoghaire |
|
Dunlavin |
|
Dunleer |
|
Dunmanway |
|
Dunmore |
|
Dunshaughlin |
|
Easkey |
|
Edenderry |
|
Elphin |
|
Ennis |
|
Enniscorthy |
|
Enniscrone |
|
Ennistymon |
|
Falcarragh |
|
Ferbane |
|
Fermoy |
|
Fethard |
|
FinglasEast_BallymunD11 |
|
Firhouse_Oldbawn |
|
Foxford |
|
Galway City |
|
Glasheen_CorkCity |
|
Glenamaddy |
|
Glenties |
|
Goatstown_Stillorgan_DLR |
|
Gorey |
|
Gort |
|
Graignamanagh |
|
Granard |
|
Grange |
|
Greystones |
|
Gurranbraher_CorkCity |
|
Gweedore |
|
Hacketstown |
|
Headford |
|
Johnstown |
|
Kanturk |
|
Kells |
|
Kenmare |
|
Kilbeggan |
|
Kilcock |
|
Kilcoole |
|
Kilcormac |
|
Kilcullen |
|
Kildare |
|
Kildysart_Cahercon |
|
Kilfinane |
|
Kilkee |
|
Kilkenny |
|
Killaloe |
|
Killarney |
|
Killenaule |
|
Killester_Raheny_Clontarf |
|
Killorglin_Milltown |
|
Killucan |
|
Killybegs |
|
Kilmacthomas |
|
Kilmallock |
|
Kilmihill |
|
Kilmuckridge |
|
Kilronan_Aran Islands |
|
Kilrush |
|
Kilternan |
|
Kiltimagh |
|
Kinsale |
|
Kinvara |
|
Lacken_Ballycastle |
|
Lanesboro |
|
Laytown |
|
Leixlip |
|
Letterkenny |
|
Limerick City |
|
Lisdoonvarna |
|
Lismore |
|
Listowel |
|
Longford_Newtownforbes |
|
Longwood |
|
Loughrea |
|
Louisburgh |
|
Lucan |
|
Macroom |
|
Malahide_Nevinstown |
|
Mallow |
|
Manorhamilton |
|
Maynooth |
|
Midleton_Carrigtwohill |
|
Milford |
|
Millstreet |
|
Mitchelstown |
|
Moate |
|
Mohill |
|
Monaghan |
|
Monasterevin |
|
Montenotte_CorkCity |
|
Mooncoin |
|
Mountmellick |
|
Mountrath |
|
Moyne |
|
Mulhuddart_Tyrrelstown_D15 |
|
Mullingar |
|
Naas |
|
Navan |
|
Nenagh |
|
New Inn |
|
New Ross |
|
Newbridge |
|
Newcastle_Rathcoole |
|
Newcastlewest |
|
Newport |
|
Nobber |
|
Oldcastle |
|
Oranmore |
|
Oughterard |
|
Palmerstown_Ronanstown_D20_22 |
|
Passage West |
|
Portarlington |
|
Portlaoise |
[Table Cont]
|
School Planning Areas |
|
Portmarnock |
|
Portumna |
|
Prosperous_Clane |
|
Ramsgrange |
|
Raphoe |
|
Rath Luirc_Charleville |
|
Rathangan |
|
Rathdowney |
|
Rathdrum |
|
Rathfarnham |
|
Rathkeale |
|
Rathmore |
|
Ratoath |
|
Ring |
|
Riverstown_Glanmire |
|
Rochfordbridge |
|
Ros Dumhach |
|
Roscarbery |
|
Roscommon |
|
Roscrea |
|
Rosmuc |
|
Rush&Lusk |
|
Sallynoggin_Killiney_DLR |
|
Scariff |
|
Schull |
|
Scribblestown_FinglasWest |
|
Shannon |
|
Skerries |
|
Skibereen |
|
Sligo |
|
South Suburbs_CorkCity |
|
Spanish Point |
|
Spiddal_Inverin |
|
Stranorlar |
|
Strokestown |
|
Swinford |
|
Swords |
|
Tallaght |
|
Tarbert |
|
Templemore |
|
Thomastown |
|
Thurles |
|
Tipperary |
|
Tory Island |
|
Tourmakeady |
|
Tralee |
|
Tramore |
|
Trim |
|
Tuam |
|
Tulla |
|
Tullamore_Killina |
|
Tullow |
|
Virginia |
|
Waterford |
|
Westport |
|
Wexford |
|
Whitehall_SantryD9 |
|
Wicklow |
|
Woodford |
|
Youghal |
217. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the school planning area that covers Meakstown, Dublin 11; the schools and the capacity of each in that area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51964/17]
View answerThe Meakstown, Dublin 11 area is located within the FingalEast-Ballymun11 school planning area. There are 9 primary schools and 1 post-primary school serving the Finglas East, Ballymun, Dublin 11 school planning area. These schools are listed below with the total enrolment figures for the 2016/2017 school year:
|
Roll_No |
School_Name |
Address_1 |
Address_2 |
Address_3 |
2016 / 2017 Enrolment* |
|
18038B |
ST MARGARETS N S |
ST MARGARETS |
CO.DUBLIN. |
94 |
|
|
18682F |
ST CANICES B N S |
FINGLAS |
DUBLIN 11 |
440 |
|
|
18683H |
ST CANICES G N S |
FINGLAS |
DUBLIN 11 |
460 |
|
|
19208F |
HOLY SPIRIT B N S |
SILLOGUE RD |
BAILE MUNNA |
ATHA CLIATH 11 |
354 |
|
19209H |
SN AN SPIORAID NAIOMH C |
SILLOGUE RD |
BALLYMUN |
DUBLIN 11 |
324 |
|
19430G |
SCOIL AN TSEACHTAR LAOCH |
BALLYMUN ROAD |
DUBLIN 11 |
208 |
|
|
19431I |
ST JOSEPHS JNR |
BALCURRIS |
BALLYMUN |
DUBLIN 11 |
148 |
|
19583I |
ST JOSEPHS SENIOR N S |
ST JOSEPHS SENIOR NS |
BALCURRIS |
BALLYMUN |
127 |
|
20059V |
MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE |
HOLY FAITH NS |
FERNDALE AVE |
BALLYGALL |
487 |
|
60511O (Post-Primary) |
BENEAVIN DE LA SALLE COLLEGE |
BENEAVIN ROAD |
FINGLAS |
DUBLIN 11 |
482 |
*The enrolment figures for the 2017/2018 school year are not yet finalised.
As with other school planning areas nationwide, the demographic data for the Fingal East, Ballymun, Dublin 11 school planning area is being reviewed by my Department to take account of updated child benefit data and updated enrolment data. It is anticipated that this exercise will be concluded shortly.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
218. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his Department's expenditure in the adult education sector over the past five years; the projected additional funding to be provided to the adult education sector in 2018; the investment in each adult education centre in County Wicklow over the past five years; and the projected additional funding for each centre for 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51973/17]
View answerThe Department provides funding from the Exchequer and the National Training Fund to SOLAS, the further education and training authority, for the provision of further education and training services.
I can inform the Deputy that the budget allocation for expenditure on further education in each of the years 2013 to 2018 is outlined below:
2011 – 2016 Actual
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2013 |
€639 Million |
|
2014 |
€612 Million |
|
2015 |
€597 Million |
|
2016 |
€613 Million |
2017 - 2018 Allocations
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2017 |
€635 Million |
|
2018 Budget (Provisional) |
€641 Million |
Further Education and Training monies are dispersed to SOLAS, who in turn fund the individual ETBs through an annual planning cycle. Each ETB receives an allocation and it is a matter for each ETB to disburse the funds according to the nature and extent of the Adult and Further Education services to be provided in its area.
My Department does not hold information regarding the investment in each individual Further Education and Training Centre in County Wicklow, this is a matter for Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board.
The planning process for 2018 between SOLAS and the individual ETBs is underway, however the allocation for each ETB has not yet been determined.
219. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a post-primary school (details supplied); if the site acquisition been confirmed; the scheduled opening date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51981/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, officials in my Department have been working closely with officials from the relevant local authority towards the acquisition of a permanent site to meet the needs of the school to which he refers. A suitable site has been identified and officials are working to advance the acquisition process. Unfortunately, due to the commercial sensitivities that attach to site acquisitions generally I am not in a position to give specific details of the proposed site at this time however the school patron will be informed of the location as soon as it is possible to do so.
The task of sourcing temporary accommodation for the school, which is due to open in September 2018, has been devolved to the patron body. The Department and the Patron are fully committed to the opening of this school. The Patron is working on identifying suitable temporary accommodation to facilitate the opening of the school for September 2018 and the Department will provide any assistance necessary to help the Patron in this regard.
220. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify if there are outstanding issues or if further information is required regarding the progress and upgrade of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52055/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school in question is included in my Department's 6 Year Capital Programme.
In that regard, my Department is awaiting clarification from the patron in relation to the current status of its plans to advance a development for a therapy building on the site. My Department sent further correspondence to the patron in this regard recently.
The matter will be considered further following receipt of a response from the patron.
221. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the Department of the Taoiseach's strategy statement and its commitment to meet the demographic challenges in higher education. [49414/17]
View answerHigher education is a central part of our plan as a Government to support a strong economy and deliver a fair society and I have taken a number of steps towards achieving this important objective.
As committed to in the Programme for Government, I have referred the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Skills. The Report sets out a number of proposals to develop a long term sustainable funding model. I look forward to receiving the Committee's recommendations. This will assist in facilitating informed decision-making for the future direction of funding for higher education.
While the Committee are undertaking this important work, I have been working in the interim to secure additional funding for higher education to address, inter alia, rising demographics. This commitment is reflected in the recent Budget 2018 announcement in which the higher education sector will benefit from a total investment package of €60m in additional funding in 2018. This funding is on top of the €36.5m that I secured for 2017 and which is being provided again in 2018. In total, we will be investing €100m more in higher education in 2018 than in 2016. This additional funding will allow for targeted initiatives in higher education and will allow for places to be provided for 2,100 additional students in 2018.
In Budget 2017, the Government increased Exchequer funding to higher education by €36.5 million and announced a consultation exercise to consider an Employer-Exchequer Investment Mechanism. This reflected the recommendation in the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding of Higher Education that a structured contribution from employers should form a key element of future funding for higher education as employers are major beneficiaries of higher education.
Following a public consultation process on a proposed Exchequer-Employer Investment Mechanism earlier this year, it was announced in Budget 2018 that the National Training Fund levy will be raised by 0.1% in 2018 from 0.7% to 0.8% and by a further 0.1% in both 2019 and 2020. This measure allows for additional expenditure of €47.5 million from the Fund in 2018. The 2019 and 2020 levy increases will be subject to the implementation of the necessary reforms to ensure that employers have a greater role in determining the priorities and the strategic direction of the Fund.
In addition, the Exchequer will also make an additional investment of €17m in 2018. Together this will facilitate an increase of €64.5 million in the Department’s expenditure ceiling. This will be used to fund initiatives in the higher education system including targeted skills programmes, performance and innovation funding, technological university development and apprenticeship costs in the higher education sector.
Also, following the review of the Capital Plan, a total of €357m in capital funding is now available for investment in higher education over the period 2018-2021.
As set out in the Programme for Government, this comprehensive approach is being taken in order to achieve a sustainable funding model for the higher education sector going forward. It will be important to build broad political and societal consensus in realising this goal and my Department and I continue to work towards that end.
222. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an on-site meeting with the Office of Public Works to give further consideration to the report on the structure of Ballinamore courthouse has taken place; the outcome of the meeting; when it is envisaged works will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51573/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the Courts Service and the Office of Public Works recently met on site to give further consideration to the report on the structure of Ballinamore Courthouse and to discuss the work required. I am advised that costing information is to be calculated on potential elements of the work and that when that information is available a decision can be made on the scope of the works to be done and the timescale for undertaking them.
223. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be ratified, in view of the fact that 3 December 2017 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51956/17]
View answerIreland signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007 and since then, successive Governments have emphasised Ireland’s strong commitment to proceed to ratification as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are met. This Government remains committed to ratification of the Convention.
It is essential that the State is in a position to meet the obligations that it assumes under the terms of an international agreement from the moment of its entry into force for Ireland. Before the State can ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, enactment of new legislation and amendment of existing legislation is required to ensure obligations will be met upon entry into force for Ireland. Ratification of a Convention before we have amended domestic legislation that contradicts it makes no sense and does nothing to ensure compliance or to protect the people for whose benefit the Convention exists. The previous Government published a Roadmap in October 2015, which sets out the legislative measures needed to meet those requirements, along with declarations and reservations to be entered by Ireland on ratification.
Considerable progress has already been made to overcome the remaining legislative barriers to Ireland's ratification of the Convention. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was signed into law on 30 December 2015 and is a comprehensive reform of the law on decision-making capacity. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 has reformed Section 5 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 to facilitate the full participation in family life of persons with intellectual disabilities and the full expression of their human rights.
The Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 was published immediately prior to Christmas and completed Second Stage in February 2017. The primary purpose of the Bill is to address the remaining legislative barriers to Ireland’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The precise timing of ratification now depends on how long it will take for the Bill to progress through the enactment process and on issues in relation to commencement both of deprivation of liberty provisions, and of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015.
The consultation, the appointment of a Director to lead the Decision Support Service, the provision of €3m in funding in Budget 2018 for the new Service and the progression of the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to enactment are all important steps that will facilitate ratification of the UN Convention as soon as possible.
I would like to take this opportunity to assure the Deputy that ratification of the UNCRPD remains a very high priority for me as Minister.
224. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding provided by his Department to each member of a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51441/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that funding under various headings (such as in respect of support for victims of crime, promotion of migrant integration etc) was provided to the organisations named below during the period of January 2016 to end October 2017, as follows:
|
2016 |
Funding |
|
Rape Crisis Network Ireland |
€85,000 |
|
2017 |
Funding |
|
Akidwa |
€5,000 |
|
Equality & Rights Alliance (ERA) |
€3,000 |
|
NCCWN (National Collective of Community Based Women's Network) |
€461,667 |
|
Outhouse LGBT Community & Resource Centre |
€4,000 |
|
Rape Crisis Network Ireland |
€75,000 |
225. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the remit of Operation Gull; the amount of Garda resources allocated to same; the number of persons that have been detained as part of its remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51457/17]
View answerAn initiative, entitled Operation ‘Gull,’ between the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the UK Immigration Service was commenced in 2003 by the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the UK Immigration Service to combat immigration abuses within the Common Travel Area, with checks conducted at ports and airports in both jurisdictions.
These operations have been conducted for a number of years in Ireland under Operation ‘Sonnet’ which is specifically aimed to target, detect, and prevent illegal immigration into this State via the Common Travel Area. These are targeted operations in addition to the day to day immigration controls in place to maintain the integrity of the Common Travel Area.
I am informed by An Garda Síochána that the information requested by the Deputy in relation to Operation Gull is not readily available for the entire period in question and would require the expenditure of a disproportionate and inordinate amount of Garda resources and time which could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources.
However, information for the past three years under operation Sonnet is provided in tables below.
Numbers of detection under Operation Sonnet for the years 2015-2017
|
Year |
No. of detections |
|
2015 |
91 |
|
2016 |
27 |
|
2017 to date |
22 |
The number of operations held each year is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána in consultation with the UK Border Authorities taking into account matters such as emerging patterns of immigration abuses, etc. within the Common Travel Area.
In relation to resources, I am advised by An Garda Síochána that it is not possible to provide the details requested by the Deputy in the time available. However, by way of example, a breakdown of the resources utilised in one operation on 25 September 2015 which included border checks carried out at Dundalk and Cavan/Monaghan is as follows: 1 Detective Superintendent, 2 Inspectors, 8 Sergeants and 45 Gardaí.
226. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects probate to be granted in a case (details supplied). [51458/17]
View answerThe Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that an application for a Grant of Probate has been received in the case referred to by the Deputy. The Courts Service has further informed me that waiting times in the Probate Office for a Grant of Probate are currently 17 weeks for applications made by solicitors on behalf of clients and approximately 45 weeks for personal applications.
As the Deputy is aware, all applications are assessed on the basis of the date on which they are lodged, an approach which provides fairness and equity to all applicants. Priority is given to probate applications where there is a particular urgency or in extenuating circumstances. In such cases, it is open to applicants to bring the matter to the attention of the Probate Office.
As the Deputy will appreciate all applications for Grants in deceased persons' estates are made on foot of a number of mandatory legal documents which must be furnished by the applicants. These require detailed checking by the Probate Office to ensure that the estate of the deceased person is administered correctly and in accordance with the law. Where a person opts to apply for a Grant personally, without the assistance of a solicitor, the process requires significant extra support from the Probate Office.
The Courts Service has advised that it is aware of the lengthy waiting times for probate applications, particularly personal applications, to the Probate Office and is working to improve the situation. Additional resources have been provided to the Probate Office to address the current delays. The Courts Service has also advised that it is currently finalising a full review of the probate system and it is anticipated that a report with recommendations for the modernisation of the process will now be presented by early 2018.
227. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason he did not inform the Taoiseach regarding the former Garda Commissioner's legal strategy in a case (details supplied) in view of the fact that he knew that the Taoiseach had provided incorrect information to Dáil Éireann on the 14 and 15 of November 2017 and that fact that he was told of this strategy on 13 November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51472/17]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my statement to the Dáil of 28 November where I addressed this issue in detail.
228. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of coroners who are registered medical doctors. [51476/17]
View answer229. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the instructions or advice provided to coroners in circumstances in which the coroner is not a medical doctor; and the person or body that provides advice for the management and conduct of a complex inquest. [51477/17]
View answer230. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the basis on which a decision is made for a non medical doctor to preside over a complex medical inquest in counties in which there is both a medical doctor registered as a coroner and a non medical doctor registered as coroner. [51478/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 228 to 230, inclusive, together.
At end November 2017, there were 35 coroners operating in 39 districts. Of these coroners, 17 were registered medical practitioners and 18 were either solicitors or barristers. 3 of the coroners hold both medical and legal qualifications.
Under the Coroners Act 1962, the coroner is an independent quasi-judicial official exercising exclusive jurisdiction in their respective districts. Currently, there is one coroner assigned to each district and such coroner, or a deputy coroner in the absence of the coroner, will conduct any inquest that arises into a death of a deceased person.
No instructions or advice on the conduct of any inquest are given to a coroner by any person or body. To do so would be entirely improper.
The coroner may seek the evidence of any person he or she considers necessary for the proper conduct of the inquest. The powers of the coroner to compel evidence will be enhanced in the forthcoming Coroners (Amendment) Bill which is being urgently drafted by the Office of the Attorney General.
It is also the case that a coroner may engage such expert witnesses or obtain such advice as he or she considers necessary for the proper conduct of the inquest.
