Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the waiting time for processing land registry dealings on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39828/05]

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

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

The total number of dealings on hand in the Land Registry at 30 November 2005 was 148,260. Of these 33,132 were the subject of queries and cannot be proceeded with until a satisfactory reply is received. The "live" arrear was therefore 115,128. The total number of cases completed from 1 January 2005 to 30 November 2005 was 208,972 or 18,997 per month. Therefore the overall national average waiting time in respect of the "live" arrear is 6.1 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.