Courts Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Questions (936)

John McGuinness

Question:

952 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to sanction extra staff for Kilkenny Court House in view of the fact that members of the public are being informed that their queries cannot be death with due to staff shortages; if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow who sought a schedule of assets relative to their late spouses estate and was told it cannot be provided due to staff shortage; and if he will extradite the matter [17901/12]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. The Deputy will appreciate that the Courts Service, in common with all other public sector organisations, is obliged to ensure that resources are deployed to best effect in the current challenging economic climate and reductions in staff numbers. In that context the Courts Service has to prioritise the delivery of front line court services, in particular supporting court sittings, while at the same time providing the best possible services to court users.

In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the existing vacancy, coupled with other staff absences, has had an effect on delivery of probate services in Kilkenny and Carlow. The Service has indicated that measures are now being put in place to seek to address the arrears in probate cases over the coming weeks.