Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average length of time which registration takes in each county with the Land Registry office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15804/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out below.

I am further informed by the Registrar of Titles that this information was calculated on the following basis.

The total number of dealings on hands in the Land Registry at 30 April 2005 was 156,947. Of these, 38,833 were the subject of queries and cannot be proceeded with until a satisfactory reply is received. The "live" arrear was therefore 118,114. The total number of cases completed from 1 January to 30 April 2005 was 73,197 or 18,300 per month. Therefore the overall national average waiting time in respect of the "live" arrear is 6.45 months.

The length of time taken to complete cases varies depending on a number of factors, including the complexity of the case, investigation of title requirements, the completeness of the documentation presented, mapping requirements, the volume of business being transacted, the level of resources available at any particular time and the time at which the present computerised system was introduced in the Land Registry office for each county. Where a case is urgent and this is brought to the attention of the Land Registry office, in accordance with its customer service policy the matter is dealt with expeditiously.