Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 7

Written Answers. - Courts Service.

John Gormley

Question:

120 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the serious difficulties with the Courts Service and the Probate Office; if he has received representations from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 in relation to these problems; the measures he will take to improve the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14776/00]

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

The person referred to in the question has been in touch with my Department. His concerns have been noted and brought to the attention of the Courts Service.

I have been informed by the chief executive officer of the Courts Service that he is aware there has been some diminution in the high quality of service normally provided in the Probate Office. The Probate Office, as the Deputy knows, provides a service both to people who are professionally represented and to personal applicants, and the office is open right through lunch time in order to facilitate all callers. The disimprovement in service to the public has been caused by a delay in filling a number of positions in the office. This is now being addressed and I anticipate that the office will have its full complement within the next couple of weeks.