asked the Minister for Justice whether consideration is being given to a quicker method of registration of title.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Registration of Title.
9.
The method of registration of title is provided for in the Registration of Title Act, 1964, and Land Registration Rules made under that Act.
In reply to a question by Deputy Davern on 18th June, 1975—Dáil Debates Volume 282, No. 5, columns 893-896—I gave in some detail the remedial measures taken since 1973 in order to provide a more efficient service in the Land Registry. The changes in the mapping procedures recommended by the study group are being implemented. Further recommendations by the study group in relation to the reorganisation of the Land Registry are at present under consideration.
As regards the legislative provisions, I might mention that the rules enable the Registrar of Titles in certain circumstances to dispense with or modify the official examination of title where the value of the property does not exceed a prescribed amount. At present the amount is £20,000 but new rules increasing the amount to £25,000 will be made shortly.
Would the Minister agree that up to a short time ago the average delay in having title registered was in the region of nine months? As a result of the improvements, could he tell us what the average delay is and if any further improvements can be expected? Is he aware of the number of representations that have to be made to that office by Members of both Houses in an effort to speed up registration of title for their constituents? Seemingly there is a delay all the time, but perhaps it is not all in that office. It may be that others need to be pushed a little as well. I think the Minister knows what I am talking about.
There are other parties, apart from the Land Registry, who might be responsible for some of the delays. It is fair to say that there is delay within the Land Registry itself. It has been a matter of concern to the public, the legal profession and Members of this House for a great many years. Because of that I am now studying proposals which have been submitted for a radical reorganisation of the Land Registry. I hope when these proposals have been studied and are implemented that they will lead to dramatic changes in the efficiency of the Land Registry and that present dedays can be eliminated completely. I am conscious of the need to speed up the Land Registry. This has been a problem for a great many years.
Can the Minister say if, among the many considerations he is looking at at the present time, the suggestion is being examined to decentralise the office? Offices to deal with this work could be situated in places like Cork, Galway, Limerick or other big centres on a regional basis which might help speed things up.
That is not part of the present proposals which are for a complete reorganisation of the existing registry. It is possible that decentralisation may come from that when it is being implemented.