Questions

3271. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the policy framework within which coroners operate, having regard to the practice of retaining organs following the conduct of a post-mortem examination; whether there are standardised procedures in place for communicating with next of kin in relation to such organ retention; whether it is a clear requirement for coroners to communicate with the next of kin …

487. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether any consultant pathologists, other than those based at University Hospital Waterford, have formally notified her Department that they will cease undertaking coronial postmortem examinations; if so, the number involved; and the locations concerned. [46539/26]

488. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the contingency arrangements currently in place where coronial postmortem services cannot be provided locally; the locations where such contingency arrangements are currently being utilised; and the annual cost of such arrangements including at Waterford University Hospital. [46540/26]

1205. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to standardise protocols for medicolegal autopsies under the Coroners Act 1962, to ensure consistency nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10418/26]

1206. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the way in which the overload of medicolegal autopsies is impacting hospital resources; the collaborations in place with the health sector to mitigate this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10419/26]

1207. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to review and update the fees payable to pathologists for coroner-directed autopsies and inquest attendance (unchanged since 2009), to better reflect actual costs and time involved and to encourage continued participation by hospital pathologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10421/26]

6. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the alternative arrangements being developed by the HSE to ensure continuity of coronial post mortem services for the south-east region from January 2026, given that consultant pathologists at UHW will no longer provide this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5311/26]

107. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the alternative arrangements being developed by the HSE to ensure continuity of coronial post-mortem services for the south-east region from January 2026, given that consultant pathologists at University Hospital Waterford will no longer provide this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1396/26]

809. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the alternative arrangements being developed by the HSE to ensure continuity of coronial post-mortem services for the south-east region from 1 January 2026, given that consultant pathologists at UHW will no longer provide this service; the hospitals or facilities being considered to take overflow or reassigned cases; the planned impact on transport timelines an…

810. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of engagement between her Department, the HSE and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding the withdrawal of coronial post-mortem provision at University Hospital Waterford; the outcomes of any meetings held since November 2024 when the issue was formally notified; the responsibilities being assumed by each Department; and if s…

811. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE intends to ensure that the modern mortuary facilities at University Hospital Waterford continue to be utilised for coronial post-mortems after January 2026; whether external pathologists could be deployed or contracted to operate on-site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65217/25]

814. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the actions her Department and the HSE are taking to ensure coroners, funeral directors and bereaved families in Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Tipperary are fully informed about the changes to post-mortem arrangements from January 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65220/25]

93. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the decision by the HSE and University Hospital Waterford to discontinue the provision of coronial post-mortems at University Hospital Waterford with effect from 1 January 2026; the alternative arrangements, if any, planned for the south-east region (details supplied); if she will make urgent representations, in consultation with the Minister …

1304. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health when the decision was made to discontinue the service of coronial post-mortems for counties Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Carlow that was being carried out at University Hospital Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48715/25]

1305. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health the reason the decision was made to discontinue the service of coronial post-mortems for counties Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Carlow that was being carried out at University Hospital Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48718/25]

1306. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health when the affected coroners were notified of the decision to discontinue the service of coronial post-mortems for counties Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Carlow that was being carried out at University Hospital Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48719/25]

1541. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the Government provides postmortem services for babies who have died just before birth or after they have been born; if so, the location; and if he will make these services available to citizens in the north of Ireland. [1323/25]