Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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69. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of county registrars serving to date; the number of vacancies that exist to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60538/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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. However, I wish to assure the Deputy that any County Registrar vacancy which has arisen in recent years has been replaced, and there are no plans to close any District Probate Registry.

The Courts Service Act 1998 sets out the nature of the relationship between the Courts Service and the County Registrar. The post of County Registrar is a statutory officer appointed by the Government, with a number of different roles, including under-sheriff and returning officer functions. When such posts become vacant, arrangements are made with the Courts Service and the Public Appointments Service to run an open recruitment competition to identify suitable persons for recommendation to Government for appointment.  

Having enquired into the matter, I can confirm that there are 14 serving county registrars serving, with 3 vacanciescurrently outstanding in Louth, Mayo/Roscommon and Waterford.

I wish to advise the Deputy that recruitment competitions are currently either ongoing or in the planning stage to identify persons for recommendation to Government for appointment to the 3 vacant positions as mentioned. Further information on such competitions is available on www.publicjobs.ie.