Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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386. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the last time a personal application was accepted by the Probate Office; the current post-Covid-19 wait time for personal applications; if personal application interviews are currently being conducted face to face, online or over the phone; if not, when the Probate Office will reopen for personal applications; the various fees charged for personal and law firm applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29750/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, 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.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that personal applications to the Dublin Probate Office are being accepted and were accepted during the period of the Covid 19 restrictions.

This work is not conducted online or over the phone. While face to face interviews were suspended temporarily, I am informed that they have recommenced as of 21 September and are continuing during the current restrictions. The waiting times for interview are approximately ten weeks.

The fees are set out in the relevant fees order which is published on the Courts Service website and can be viewed via the following link - . The difference in fees is due to the significant additional work which is required to process a personal application.

The Courts Service has advised me that the priority project in the probate area for 2020 is to remove the manual Revenue affidavit from the probate process and to replace it with an on line system. This project, which is in partnership with the Revenue Commissioners, went live on 14th September 2020 and will reduce the waiting times for all applications.