Brendan Howlin
Ceist:73 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline any specific plans he has to modernise operations at the Land Registry; and if he will produce a timetable for the implementation of these reforms.
Written Answers. - Land Registry.
The basic problem with the Land Registry in recent years has been its incapacity to cope fully with the growing volume of business being addressed to it. This has resulted in lengthening delays in dealing with cases and the accumulation of arrears.
The main factors contributing to this development have been reduced levels of staffing and a need for greater investment in new technology. These factors arose because, as part of the public service, the Registry has been subject to the various embargoes on staffing and cutbacks in public expenditure which operated since the early eighties. At the same time as the staffing levels were reducing in the Registry, the volume of business being addressed to it was increasing significantly.
The Deputy will be aware of the proposal, approved in principle by Government, to re-constitute the Land Registry and the Registry of Deeds as a semi-State body. The purpose of this change is to free the registries from the constraints in the areas of staffing and funding which, of necessity, apply under the Civil Service structure and to give them a commercial orientation that will enable them to provide a fast, efficient and up-to-date service to the public.
I expect to be in a position to announce the appointment of an interim board for the registries in the near future. The interim board will operate on a non-statutory basis and its principal role will be to advise and assist in the various steps which need to be taken in readiness for the reconstitution of the registries. I have, in the meanwhile, made arrangements for the preparation of legislation to formally vest the registries in a semi-State board.
Attainment of an enhanced level of service to the public is, of course, dependent on adequate resources being provided to the registries. In this regard I am pleased to say that substantial additional finance has been provided for them in the current year's Estimates. The additional funds are earmarked primarily for implementation of an approved programme of computerisation and for the recruitment of extra staff to tackle the problem of arrears.
Late in 1990 management consultants were engaged to produce a strategic plan to link the organisational structure and technology infrastructure to the business goals and objectives of the registries.
The consultants' recommendations for a phased five year information systems plan was accepted and implementation of the plan is already uderway. Arising from previously implemented technology programmes at the registries, the folios in the Dublin area have been computerised, leading to a considerable improvement in the speed of response to applications for copy folios and copy file plans.
Folios created in the Western Region are being put on computer as dealings are processed and a programme of computerising Registry of Deeds Abstracts of Memorials, commenced in 1990, is progressing satisfactorily.
The fall in staff numbers at the registries through the eighties, which as already mentioned was due to embargoes, has been arrested and staffing levels have been increased each year since 1989. As a result of this and of adjustments in the management of resources, the services provided by the registries are already improving. I am informed by the Registrar that in the case of dealings, the main business of the Land Registry, arrears of uncompleted dealings have been reduced by 7 per cent over the last two years and that a further improvement of the situation with regard to arrears and delays can be expected during the course of this year.