asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the grave concern among the public and the legal profession at the long delays on the part of the Land Registry in completing dealings, sending out Land Registry maps to solicitors, and in having applications for registration of titles completed; if he is satisfied that there is adequate staff to cope with the increasing number of applications for maps, and registration of titles; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Land Registry Delays.
399.
Limerick East): I am aware that there has been some general deterioration in regard to the time taken to deal with applications in the Land Registry over the last few years but I would not agree that the position is such as would justify grave concern. The delay in dealing with some categories of cases is not significant.
The Deputy will be aware that successive Governments since 1981 have found it necessary, because of the financial situation, to adopt a policy of reducing staff numbers in the Civil Service — a policy which manifests itself as an embargo on filling certain vacancies. The effect on the Land Registry is that the current authorised staffing of the registry is approximately 14 per cent lower than the authorised level prior to the introduction of the embargo. In addition, the most recent estimate of the volume of work being dealt with by the registry shows an increase of 9 per cent approximately, over the 1980 level, the year of reference to which the staffing level was fixed. Everything possible is being done by the registry to speed up the processing of applications within the staffing constraints involved in the general policy on Civil Service numbers.