Written answers

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Department of Justice, Equality and Defence

Courts Service Staff

8:00 pm

Photo of Paul ConnaughtonPaul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 434: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when a new grant of probate officer for County Galway will be appointed in view of the fact that at present the position is vacant and many probate matters are being held up as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13707/12]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Probate Office is an office of the High Court. Management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that District Probate Registries located outside Dublin are located within Circuit Court Offices. Staff in these offices are not exclusively assigned to probate work and also have responsibility for other aspects of circuit court work. I am informed that a number of staff have retired from Galway Circuit Court Office which operates the District Probate Registry for Co Galway and Co Roscommon. I am informed that assistance is being provided by the local Courts Service Regional Office and from neighbouring offices which have experience of probate work to immediately address this issue. In addition, the Courts Service has indicated to applicants that, if they so wish, may lodge probate applications with the Probate Registry in Dublin.

I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that the Courts Service, in common with all other public sector organisations, is obliged to ensure that resources are deployed to best effect to ensure continuity of service with reduced budgets and resources. Greater flexibility in the deployment of available resources will be critical in maintaining the delivery of front line court services.

The Court Service has informed me that they have put in place contingency plans which are being customised to meet the needs of individual offices, including the Galway Circuit Court Office. These plans include technical skills training to address the skills and knowledge deficit resulting from retirements. The Service has put in place a series of work force planning measures over the last three years to ensure that available resources are deployed to best effect including the centralising of processes, creation of multi-jurisdictional combined court offices, rationalisation of court venues and offices, rationalisation and standardisation of processes and an ongoing review of resource allocation including redeployment to front line services.

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