Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the period of delay in the stamping office of the Revenue Commissioners in Galway has been increasing; his proposals to reduce the period of delay to an acceptable period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22654/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Finance the staffing levels, at each grade, in the stamping office of the Revenue Commissioners in Galway for each of the past five years; and his plans to increase the staffing levels to ensure that deeds lodged for stamping are completed within a reasonable amount of time. [22655/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the reason for the delay in the stamping of deeds in the Galway Stamps Office is as a result of increasing volumes of business combined with the considerable loss of experienced staff due to staff changes, including normal course inter-departmental transfers, and long-term sick leave since September 2005. The training-in time of the replacement staff was significant due to the nature of the work. This training was carried out by their colleagues in the office, which in turn affected their own output. To address the delay issue, 3.4 staff were assigned in May of this year. To get the stamping of deeds up to date it is planned to assign a further 4 staff when the recruitment process for them is completed.

The following table shows the staff levels at each grade in the Galway Stamp Office for the past five years. The 2006 figure is the current position and does not reflect the 4 staff mentioned above.

As a result of the measures already taken the period of delay has begun to drop and once the additional staff are trained it is expected that the Customer Service standard of processing 80% of deeds within 10 working days and 100% within 20 working days will be fully met. The staff resource applied will fall to be reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that the level of service is maintained.