Vol. 532 No. 4
557 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who were recruited to the Land Registry Office since fees were increased on 1 May 2000; and the number of staff who have retired, resigned or otherwise departed from the Land Registry Office in the same period. [8088/01]
I understand all staff assignments are made to the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds and that separate records in respect of the Land Registry are not available. The authorised staffing figure for the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds Offices on 1 May, 2000 was 602 and is currently 607.
During the period 1 May, 2000 to 28 February, 2001 I understand 136 officers were assigned to the registries. However, 57 posts were vacated during the same period due to officers retiring, resigning, transferring to other Government departments or commencing career breaks. This figure does not include officers already in the registries who commenced work in a job sharing capacity or officers who resumed duty in a full time capacity during the period in question.
558 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total income to the Land Registry Office in 2000; the total cost of running the office; and if there was a surplus, the way in which this was disposed of. [8089/01]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles and Deeds that the income for 2000 amounted to £34 million, in cash receipts, for services provided and applications lodged.
I am further informed that the total direct expenditure in the registries for 2000 was £17 million. In addition, I understand the notional costs for superannuation, accommodation and services provided by other Departments amounted to £4.3 million. In addition, the total cost of pensions for existing staff amounts to £2.5 million.
Prepayments of fees, in respect of applications lodged in the registries but not completed at the end of 2000 amounted to £9.7 million.
Under Government accounting rules and taking account of notional costs, the registries had a surplus of £12.7 million during 2000. However, under accrual accounting rules the registries had a real surplus of £0.5 million.
