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
|