Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Registration of Title.

Michael Ring

Question:

692 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider the facts of a transaction when reviewing staff needs in the Land Registry Office in view of the fact that it took from 15 March 1999 to 16 November 1999 for a copy folio to issue on a completion of registration of a property and the folio which issued was incorrect; his views on whether this is an adequate and efficient level of service for a Government Department; and the steps, if any, he will take to ensure the service level is improved. [1937/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that when the registration of Dealing No. 91 GY 4821 was completed on 15 March 1999, while the ownership details of the applicants referred to by the Deputy wee correctly registered, the notice of completion of the dealing inadvertently referred to Folio 28614F Co. Galway instead of Folio 51494F Co. Galway. The solicitor applied for a copy of the Folio 28614F Co. Galway on 24 September 1999 and this issued on 16 November 1999. However, as the Deputy is aware, this was the wrong folio. The Registrar of Titles regrets any inconvenience caused by the error, and will rectify it urgently Her staff are attempting to contact the registered owners today.

In relation to the level of service given by the Land Registry, I would refer the Deputy to the positive developments in relation to the staffing of the Land Registry which I have set out in my reply to a number of other questions tabled by the Deputy for answer today.

Michael Ring

Question:

693 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the length of time it takes on average for a copy folio and file plan to issue from the Land Registry Office following notice of completion of a registration for a property in the western region; and if he will give details for a property in the Dublin region. [1938/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

The average time for processing Land Registry applications is as follows:

Filed Plan Applications

Type of Application	Average Time
	Western Region	Dublin Regions
Public counter application – no mapping required	2 days	Immediately
Postal application – no mapping required	6 weeks	4-5 days
Public counter & postal applications – mapping required	4-6 weeks	1-2 weeks

In the case of applications for filed plans lodged with dealings, the filed plans issue together with the notice of completion of the registration in the Dublin region.

The western region is currently moving to achieve a similar target time.

Michael Ring

Question:

695 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of copy folios and file plans issued from the Land Registry Office in 1999 for the properties in the western region which contained incorrect details; and the number of incorrect documents issued for the Dublin region. [1940/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that the total output of filed plans from the Land Registry in 1999 was 138,000 approximately.

As to the matter of filed plans or copy folios containing incorrect details in the western or Dublin regions, I am informed that the matter of filed plans containing incorrect details has not to date been raised as a general issue for any regions in the Registry. Accordingly, no figures are available for such documents.

Michael Ring

Question:

696 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive notification from Land Registry that transactions regarding his land are complete. [1941/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I refer the Deputy to my previous answers to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 368 of 9 November 1999 and 209 of 15 December 1999 about this matter.

The situation remains that the queries which issued to the lodging solicitors on 11 November 1999 require to be answered, and until they are, this application cannot proceed further. I can assure the Deputy that, on receipt of a satisfactory reply from the solicitors involved, the matter will be completed by the Land Registry without delay.

John Perry

Question:

697 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application for transfer of lands for a person (details supplied) will be immediately processed in view of the fact that all documents are lodged with the Land Registry for some time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1942/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that the applications refer to a transfer of part and discharge which were lodged on 27 September 1999 and 22 October 1999.

I can inform the Deputy that the matter is being marked "expedite" by the Land Registry and will be finalised as soon as possible.

John Perry

Question:

698 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application for transfer of lands for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will be immediately processed in view of the fact that all documents are lodged with the Land Registry for some time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1943/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this application refers to a section 49 application, that is acquisition of title by virtue of long possession, of the Registration of Title Act, 1964, which was lodged on 2 November 1999.

I understand that due to their complicated nature, applications under section 49, which require detailed examination of claims for registration as owners, can take some time to process. Accordingly it is not possible to estimate a completion date for the application concerned at this stage.

However, I can assure the Deputy that the Land Registry will deal with this application without delay.