asked the Minister for Justice if he will make the necessary staff available to deal with the large backlog of outstanding probate cases in the probate office in Kilkenny which is causing financial difficulties for the applicants.
Written Answers. - Kilkenny Probate Office.
318.
, Limerick East): I am informed by the district probate registrar in Kilkenny that, while applications would undoubtedly be dealt with more expeditiously if more staff were available, there is no serious delay in processing applications as far as the district probate registrar is concerned. There certainly is no large backlog of outstanding cases as suggested in the question.
The Deputy's question may refer to a particular case in respect of which he has made representations to the district probate registry in Kilkenny, and which relates to a very small estate of a person who died intestate in 1934. I have been informed that the position in regard to this application is that the necessary grant of probate will issue as soon as the application is submitted in proper form. There has been no delay in the district probate registrar's office in dealing with the case. The major part of the delay arose from the fact that for most of the period of 50 years no application of any kind was made. An application was made and acted upon in 1982 but a second death occurred which effectively involved a further application which was not lodged until July of this year. This was not in the proper form, the solicitor concerned has been so informed and has been advised as to the requirements. The district probate registry has given all possible assistance.