asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the long delays in dealing with applications to the district probate office in Cork; the plans, if any, he has to speed up the processing of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Cork District Probate Office.
146.
I am aware that there has been an increase in the time taken to issue grants from the Cork District Probate Office. In the case of personal applications I am informed that the delay is not significant; in other cases the grant normally issues in about 16 weeks. There are, however, arrangements for dealing with cases where serious hardship might be caused by delay.
The increasing delays are attributable to staffing difficulties. I am arranging for the situation to be examined specially to see what can be done to effect an improvement.