Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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104. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 17 of 11 October 2016, the status of the appointing of a probate officer for County Westmeath. [14559/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, there are 14 District Probate Registries located outside Dublin which are attached to Circuit Court Offices under the control of County Registrars who also carry out the function of District Probate Registrar. The County Registrar for County Westmeath retired in April 2016 and her duties have been exercised by the County Registrar for Cavan with assistance from other County Registrars in the meantime. However, as the Deputy is also aware, I approved a proposal to fill the County Registrar vacancy and a recruitment competition is being conducted by the Public Appointments Service which I understand will be completed shortly.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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105. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will ascertain from the Courts Service when the grant of probate will issue in a case (details supplied), in view of the fact the delay is causing undue hardship. [14300/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, 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 is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in a number of provincial court offices.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the application for a Grant of Probate in this estate is being dealt with at present and that, subject to there being no queries in regard to the application, it should issue shortly .