Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 515: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of repossession orders that were made on properties in County Meath in the year 2011, in tabular form per property type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21577/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of statistics.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that cases in which a plaintiff seeks possession of lands and/or premises can be granted by the Circuit Court sitting locally or the High Court which has full jurisdiction. The Courts Service has informed me that in 2011 there were 22 Orders for Possession of Property granted by Trim Circuit Court. All of these orders related to residential property. It is important to note that orders for possession do not necessarily equate with repossessions as it is up to the person or company who obtained the order for possession to pursue its execution.

The Courts Service has further advised that the statistics maintained in relation to possession orders issued by the High Court are not maintained by reference to property type or by county and it would require a disproportionate amount of staff time which cannot be justified in current circumstances. I am informed however that the High Court granted 281 possession orders in respect of the entire country during 2011.