Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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359. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 202 of 28 January 2016, the progress made in introducing a streamlined process to register satisfaction of judgment debts in the appropriate court register in respect of judgment debts discharged under the Personal Insolvency Acts since his predecessor confirmed the matter was being examined in January 2016; his plans to introduce measures to permit personal insolvency practitioners or the Insolvency Service of Ireland to do same; if the satisfaction of the judgment process generally will be simplified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7889/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, including the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made with the Courts Service.

The current work in developing a programme to implement the Courts Service's modernisation plan includes streamlining civil processes and digitising services in areas where necessary and appropriate to customer needs. The provision for a register of debts registered and satisfaction pieces lodged will be considered as part of this modernisation programme. Progress on the various aspects of the Courts Service's modernisation programme will necessarily be dependenton the priorities identified, and availability of the required budget and resources.

It may be of interest to the Deputy to note that the courts process for registering satisfaction of judgment debts was not identified as a priority in the submissions made by stakeholders to my Department regarding review of personal insolvency legislation and procedures.