asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider the propriety of taking appropriate steps to eliminate or considerably to reduce the present delays in the probate office with regard to the issue of grants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Probate Office Delays.
Mr. Boland
Steps have already been taken to expedite the issue of grants which I hope will produce the desired result.
Will the Minister agree that the present position in the probate registry is this, that the probate officer has been for months past endeavouring to secure sufficient staff to cope with the increased business but no additional staff was furnished, that the probate officer has resigned and that no successor to him has been appointed, and that at the moment the assistant probate officer is acting temporarily as probate officer but there is no assistant probate officer which means that there is only one person to sign grants? One of the elder officials in the probate office died some time ago and the vacancy was not filled. Another official was transferred from the probate office.
Mr. Boland
I am aware, as I have explained, and that the Deputy will appreciate very soon, that there will be a very great improvement in the position.
At the present moment considerable inconvenience is being caused.
Mr. Boland
I can assure the Deputy that in the last few weeks there has been a very great improvement.