That Roscommon County Council review the graveyards policy regarding the allocation of grave spaces, as currently graves are only allocated when the applicant is deceased.  This policy causes great distress to the families or deceased relative where there is a surviving relative.  The current policy also puts the graveyard caretakers around the county in an extremely difficult position trying to defend  such policy at a very delicate time to their neighborurs and friends.  The caretakers income is a miserable total of €6 per week with no travel expenses this should also be part of the review.

That Roscommon County Council review the graveyards policy regarding the allocation of grave spaces, as currently graves are only allocated when the applicant is deceased.This policy causes great distress to the families or deceased relative where there is a surviving relative.The current policy also puts the graveyard caretakers around the county in an extremelydifficult position trying to defend such policy ata very delicate time to their neighbours and friends.The caretaker's income isa miserable total of €6per week with no travel expenses this should also be part of the review.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

TheCemetery Bye-Laws 2020 were adopted by theElected Members of Roscommon County Council on22^nd March2021 afteradetailedprocessofpublicconsultationfollowed byconsideration andrecommendationby theStrategic Policy Committee. Inaccordance with these bye-laws,burial plotsshall not bepurchased in advanceofabereavement. Thisclausewasalsocontainedintheearlier adoptedCemeteryBye-Laws2008. Previously whereadvance purchasestook place,this resultedin vacantplots incemeteries thatwere never utilised.To ensureconsistency of development andthe need to conserve space,burial plotsare now allocated in a structured way.

Areview ofthe allowance paidto CemeteryCaretakers was carriedout in2021.  Sixnew annualpayment bands were identified, andeach cemeterywas placedin therelevant bandbased onaverage burialsand cemetery activity.The annual rateof payment for each band isa fractionalmultiplier linkedto a payscale, and thisallows future fairness and adjustment aligned tonational pay scale adjustments.The set-up of the bandsalso allows forfuture reviewof cemetery activity andsubsequent adjustment into therelevant band.

Moving the motion, Cllr. Crosby said that as an Undertaker, he is aware that some people wish to have their grave space in advance, he argued greater discretion was required for local Cemetery Caretakers on this matter.  He also noted that the current payment to caretakers is low, and this should be reviewed.

Cllr. Keogh seconded the notice of motion.

Members supported the motion.

Responding, Acting Director of Services Greg O’Donnell stated:

·         The most recent policy on Graveyards, adopted in March 2021 stated that burial plots could not be purchased in advance, and that 2 could be bought at that time.

·         Caretakers should not be left in the difficult position of allocating of burial plots. That is the responsibility of the Council, and bye-laws protect the caretaker.

·         The rate of pay for Caretakers is linked to Council pay rates and are index linked, stating rates are appropriate, though some graveyards experiencing little activity.

·         Matters can be brought to the SPC for discussion and review.

Responding, Cllr. Crosby agreed that these matters are brought to the SPC.

Chief Executive Shane Tiernan stated:

·         He was the Director of Services in 2021 with responsibility for the Cemetery bye-laws as adopted.  Previous to 2008 green spaces allocated in graveyards were unused and not maintained.

·         The Council owns over 100 cemeteries, with limited resources to maintain them.

·         Councillors have requested 2 new graveyards since the new council began.

·         The cost to develop and maintain graveyards is considerable, and spaces must be allocated appropriately.

·         There is no national funding stream to cover costs of maintenance.

·         2 grave spaces are 3 coffins spots. 

·         There is an appeals process, individual cases will be considered compassionately.

·         The banding system of caretakers pay, brought in in 2021, raised the pay of all caretakers.  This is linked to the outdoor workers pay scale.

·         Minor reviews can be considered in the SPC.