Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1249. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of sudden and unexplained deaths being referred to the coroners to date in 2022; if there has been a rise in the number of deaths being referred to the coroner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19498/22]
View answerCoroners are independent quasi-judicial officers and are responsible for their own records. Neither I nor my Department have any role in individual death investigation cases.
However, in accordance with the requirements of Section 55 of the Coroners Acts 1962 – 2020, every coroner must provide me with the following information on or before 1 February each year in respect of the preceding year:
1. The number of deaths reported to the coroner in the preceding year, for which no further action was needed;
2. The number of post-mortem examinations ordered by the coroner in the preceding year that did not proceed to inquest; and
3. The number of inquests held by the coroner in the preceding year.
These Annual Returns are collated and are available publicly at: gov.ie - Coroner's Annual Returns 2018 - 2021 (www.gov.ie) The most recent returns available relate to 2021. Data for 2022 will be submitted to me by 1 February 2023. Accordingly, I do not have the information requested by the Deputy in respect of this year to date.
