Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
618. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of wards of court who come under the remit of the general solicitor; if there was a family or family member that could have acted as their committee in each case; the average length of time probate takes in such cases by reference to past cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13998/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe General Solicitor for Minors and Wards of Court is committee or guardian to 624 wards of court, including 10 minor wards of court.
The General Solicitor is appointed as committee or guardian when there is no family member available to act, willing or in a position to act. The General Solicitor may be appointed as committee where the family are unable to agree who will act as committee. The General Solicitor may be appointed by the Court if the Court believes it is appropriate to do so in the absence of an appropriate family member and in the best interest of the ward.
The General Solicitor’s Office would only deal with a Probate application in very rare circumstances. It is not possible to quantify the time a probate application would take as each individual estate is different and will have different requirements and complexity.
