Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In 2021, in accordance with the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 Act, I asked the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) to prepare and submit a report on the possible creation of a new profession of conveyancer. This was instigated under section 34 of the Legal Services Regulation Act, which makes specific provision to address this remaining area of legal services reform.

The report, including recommendations, was published and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 11 April 2024.

I and officials in my Department will examine, in detail, the complex considerations associated with the introduction of a profession of conveyancer as laid out in the report.

I welcome and support the LSRA’s commitment to leading on the development of a national awareness campaign aimed at empowering consumers to make informed decisions when seeking conveyancing services.

The report makes recommendations for reforms to enhance competition and increase efficiencies and transparency in the delivery of conveyancing services to consumers.

This report and its recommendations come at a crucial time when there are concerns about delays in the conveyancing process that are adversely impacting people trying to buy homes. I am pleased to note that the report indicates high levels of satisfaction with conveyancing services among consumers.

The report states that the creation of a new profession of conveyancer would only be viable as part of a wide range of other more significant and pressing reforms. These include the digitalisation of conveyancing services and the need for increased transparency in the conveyancing sector, including in relation to costs for consumers.

The report also points to the need for greater awareness among consumers of conveyancing services, in order to promote more informed decision-making.

The Deputy may be aware of existing work that is progressing across Government to improve the conveyancing process for buyers and sellers.

In November 2023, the then Taoiseach established a Working Group on Conveyancing and Probate to carry out a review of current conveyancing and probate processes and identify scope for greater efficiency and streamlining. I have asked my officials to refer this report to the Working Group as it may assist them in their work.

My Department has led a number of reforms to conveyancing law in recent years including the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Acts 2009 to 2021.

As part of its ongoing Modernisation Programme, the Courts Service is also working to digitally transform the way in which probate is granted in the conveyancing process.

The eProbate project will deliver a facility to submit and track applications for Grants of Representation online via a public facing portal. This new digital offering is currently in the early stages of development and will continue to be developed throughout 2024 with an expected public launch in 2025.

In addition, the Tailte éireann Act 2022 consolidated the mandatory nationwide registration of property, along with property valuation, mapping and surveying functions, into a single State body, Tailte éireann, from March 2023.

A total of 90% of property titles nationally are now registered, which greatly simplifies the future conveyancing of that property.

My government colleagues and I are ambitious for continued progress, competition and reform in this area, which should ultimately work for all those who seek prompt, cost-effective, user-friendly conveyancing services.

In this regard, work is underway in my Department to give further consideration to the various recommendations put forward by the LSRA and how they can be progressed.