Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 February 2021
230. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice if a court order for the sale of a home arising from divorce proceedings can be executed during level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10869/21]
View answerThe execution of the Court Orders described by the Deputy is not a matter for the Courts Service, or for this Department. ?It is the responsibility of the parties in the proceedings and/or their solicitors to execute such Orders. The Deputy will appreciate that I, as Minister for Justice, am not in a position to comment on, or provide legal advice, on matters which relate to activities between solicitors and clients.
There is provision for the sale of property during Level 5 restrictions, in keeping with the Minister for Health's national Covid-19 strategy.
The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PRSA), the independent statutory body established under the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011, with responsibility to licence and regulate property service providers (auctioneers, estate agents, letting agents and property management agents) has developed guidance in this regard. A Protocol developed by the PSRA in association with the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers (IPAV) and the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) is intended to ensure strict precautions are taken to provide the highest standards of safety in the sales, lettings, valuations and management of properties. The PSRA, in association with IPAV and SCSI, also published the Property Services Providers Guidance to implementing the Plan for Living with Covid-19 which set out additional measures to be undertaken at the different levels outlined within the Plan. The latest version of this Guidance issued in January 2021. Both the Protocol and the Guidance are subject to the Government, HSE and Department of Health guidelines on these matters. The full documents are available to view on the Property Services Regulatory Authority website at: www.psr.ie.
