Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 1

Written Answers. - Dismissals from Wardship.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

286 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 17 December 1998 the number of cases waiting in the Wards of Courts Office which involve dismissal from wardship in respect of wards who have died; when the backlog will be cleared; if he has negotiated with the Department of Finance to secure appropriate staffing levels for this office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19587/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am informed that there are currently 178 applications for dismissal from wardship in the Office of Wards of Court.

Earlier this year I secured sanction for five new posts to assist in addressing the current backlog. Four of these posts have been filled and the filling of the fifth post and a number of existing vacancies which have arisen in the normal course are currently being processed.

Following an intensive training programme for the new staff assigned, the processing of applications for dismissal from wardship recommenced last July. Since then 49 dismissal applications have been completed.

While it is not possible at this stage to indicate a precise timescale for the elimination of arrears, I am satisfied that significant progress has been made and that the resources are in place to complete this work.

The Deputy will be aware that this matter will become the responsibility of the Courts Service Board on establishment day which is scheduled for 9 November next. I will be encouraging the Courts Service to keep the matter under regular review.