Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2018
213. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the waiting time for probate to be considered once submitted to the Dublin Probate Office's principal probate registry; if the office is fully staffed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38431/18]
View answerThe Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the current processing times for applications to the Principal Probate Registry in Dublin are as follows:
- 5 weeks – applications from solicitors
- 12 weeks – personal applications
The Courts Service has advised that the Principal Probate Registry is fully staffed and that waiting times have reduced and are in line with the normal waiting times for work of this nature.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Report of the Probate Services Review Group was approved by the Courts Service Board on 23 April 2018 and makes a number of recommendations in relation to
- Improvements to existing business processes (some of which are already underway);
- Communication with the District Probate Registries;
- Re-allocation of functions and
- ICT efficiencies including the development of online filing functionality, through an eprobate system and electronic data exchange with the Revenue Commissioners.
Work has now commenced on planning for the implementation of these recommendations, including amendments to the Rules of the Superior Courts and changes in work practices and processes.
