Vol. 415 No. 3
44 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the steps he proposes to take to eliminate land registry delays, particularly in the context of Statutory Instrument number 363/1991 wherein it is proposed to increase and change the fees chargeable in the Land Registry from 1 April 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have already announced that it is my intention to reconstitute the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds as a semi-State body. This will give the Registries a commercial orientation and will enable them to provide the type of fast and efficient service which the public are entitled to expect.
Increased investment in the registries will be essential to the attainment of this enhanced level of service to the public. Substantial additional finance is being provided for the registries this year for a programme of computerisation of procedures and to recruit extra staff to tackle arrears. The Land Registration (Fees) Order, 1991, to which the Deputy refers, is a vital element in this process, in that it will ensure that the finance necessary will be available for the computerisation programme, the elimination of arrears and the other measures necessary to enhance the service provided by the registries.
Incidentally, it is the first increase in fees chargeable by the Land Registry since 1984. Over that period the consumer price index rose by some 36 per cent and the new order provides for an approximate overall increase of 25 per cent in fees, with effect from 1 April 1992.
Already services are improving. For example, in the case of dealings, the main business of the Land Registry, I am informed by the registrar that the arrears of uncompleted dealings in the Land Registry have been reduced by 7 per cent over the last two years and that the average delay in completion of dealings has been reduced from 8.5 months to 6.4 months over the same period. A further improvement of the situation with regard to arrears and delays at the registry can be expected at the end of this year arising from the new programme of arrears clearance which is under way at the registry.
