asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on the prolonged delays in the Land Registry which are causing expense and inconvenience to the general public.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Registry Delays.
16.
The delays complained of mostly arise in relation to changes in registration. Due to the improvements in organisation and procedures in the registry over the last few years, the number of such cases being dealt with annually has been increasing very considerably. In fact, it is expected that about twice as many cases will be processed in 1973 as in 1971. It so happens, however, that the increase in output has been partly offset by a big increase in applications.
The present position is that the arrears are being reduced and I have every reason to believe that changes that are in course, mainly in the mapping branch, will improve the position further.
The Minister is aware that the majority of the people complaining about delays have bridging loans either for the subdivision of housing sites or for farms and they are now being charged a punitive rate of interest of 15 per cent and, in view of this, would he ensure expedition in certain categories anyway in regard to housing loans?
I sympathise with the applicants referred to by the Deputy but the Land Registry has greatly increased its output of completed dealings, from 38,000 in 1970 to 52,500 in 1972. The number of applications is keeping pace. The main area of delay is in the Mapping Branch and this is constantly under examination.
Has the organisation of the Mapping Branch been completed because that is where the main problems arise?
There is a Deputy standing behind Deputy O'Malley.
I am sorry.
Deputy Gallagher.
Would the Minister consider decentralising the office? I think this operates in parts of England. It might be worth considering.
I understand that proposal has been examined and found not to be feasible. By way of compromise, the method of operation in the Land Registry has been so devised that applications are dealt with now on a geographical basis. Each county is dealt with from the initial entry in the registry up to the completion of registration right through the various sections. Possibly, at a future date, what the Deputy has in mind might be considered in regard to some categories of dealings.