Michael P. Kitt
Question:459 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will take immediate steps to provide funding and staff in the Land Registry Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23993/01]
Written Answers. - Land Registry.
As the Deputy will be aware, arising from the increased activity in the property market, the intake of applications in the Land Registry and the Registry of Deeds has grown to an unprecedented level with each successive year setting new record levels. From current figures available it appears that the intake of applications for 2001 will be approximately 160,000. Last year, to address the increasing intake of applications, I received sanction from my colleague, the Minister for Finance, to increase the staffing compliment of the Land Registry by 77. Most of these appointments were made during the past year and the training of the new staff is now beginning to pay dividends. Already this year, to the end of September, more than 112,000 dealings representing an increase in output for the same period of almost 47% in 2000 have been completed. I have recently received sanction for a further 19 temporary posts, and a recruitment drive is now under way.
Every effort is being made by the management and staff of the Land Registry to address the problems which have developed over a period of time, mainly due to the unprecedented increase in the levels of business. The Land Registry management is implementing some proactive measures to help deal with the situation, including improvements to workflow, the training and development of staff, the use of new technology, the launch of an e-commerce service and the computerised data capture of folios and maps. I am confident that, with the appointment of additional staff and the programme of measures being taken, the situation will continue to improve.