Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff and vacant posts in each district probate office; the steps being taken to deal with the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45109/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which, as the Deputy will be aware, 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 there are 14 District Probate Registries located outside Dublin attached to Circuit Court Offices. Staff in these offices also have responsibility for other aspects of circuit court work. 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 Courts Service has informed me that the impact of vacancies on the provision of services varies between court offices depending on the number of vacancies and the skill sets available in each office. The Service has put in place contingency plans customised to meet the needs of individual offices. These plans include technical skills training to address the skills and knowledge deficit resulting from vacancies. In addition, the Courts Service has indicated to applicants that they may lodge probate applications with the Probate Registry in Dublin, if they wish to do so. The Service has also 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.

The table below sets out the current position in each office:

*These are now combined court offices.

** The number of staff in each court office responsible for all aspects of court work not exclusively probate.