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LAND REGISTRY DELAYS
QUE S T I ON: To ask the Minister for Justice the
reforms he has introduced since March, 1973 to speed
the process in the Land Registry.
NOEL DAVERN
For answer on Tuesday, 17th June, 1975.
ANSWER: Many remedial measures, including the
reorganisation of both the legal/clerical and the
mapping structure, have been taken in recent years
in order to provide a more efficient service in the Land
Registry. These arose from the implementation of
recommendations made by a study group which was set
up in 1968 to review the organisation and procedures
of the Registry.
Early in 1974 I reconstituted the study group to
continue the work of examining the organisation and
procedures of the Land Registry and to furnish
recommendations as to changes that should be made
so as to enable the Registry to discharge its functions
more efficiently. I accepted the group's recommendations
to the effect that a new mapping system should be
introduced and a special section in the Mapping
Branch is now working on the implementation of the
new system. One of the main advantages of the new
system is that, when it is operative, a registered owner
will be able to obtain a copy of a document, known as
a filed plan, which will comprise both the folio and the
map relating to his holding. Under the existing system,
a major source of delay has been the need for copy
maps to be drawn by hand, which is a time-consuming
process. Under the new system delays in this area will
be completly eliminated, as it will be possible to produce
copies of the filed pl?ns photographically.
The amount of work involved in the introduction of
the new system is considerable but I am hopeful that
it can be completed in a reasonable period of time I
expect that the study group will let me have, in the
very near future, detailed plans showing how the new
system can be fully implemented within a reasonble
time.
Th e study group are also examining other areas of
difficulty in the Land Registry, notably first registra-
tions, storage of documents and the question of accom-
modation generally. I expect that the group will furnish
early reports on these matters.
Apart from fundamental changes, a number of remedial
measures have been taken from time to time in order to
reduce delays in the Registry. As a result of these
measures, which include ithe working of overtime and an
increase of 15% in staff members since the begining of
1973, the arrears of delaings in registered land, which
constitute the m?.in bulk of the work of the Registry,
have been reduced by 2 7% since the begining of 1973,
despite the fact that the intake of dealings increased by
35% during the same period.
I am hopeful that the improvement in the arrears
position will not only be maintained but greatly
accelerated as a result particularly of ithe changes which
are being introduced. I am most anxious that the Land
Registry should provide the most efficient service possible
and I will continue to do whatever I can to achieve this
end. In this context I migth mention that in order to
facilitate the public in the lodgment of applications, I
made an order in November, 1974, providing that fees
could be paid by cash, banker's draft, money order,
postal order or cheque as well as by Land Registry
stamps (which was previously the only method by
which fees could be paid).
Assistant Law Agent
Cork Corporation
Salary : £5,206 - £5,955
The successful applicant may enter the salary
scale above the minimum depending on qual-
ifications and experience. Contributory pension
and Widows and Orphans pension scheme.
Essential: Admission and enrolment as a
Solicitor in the State and three years exper-
ience including experience of Court work.
Age limits : 2 4 - 5 5 years on 1st September,
1975.
For application forms and further details write
to:Secretary, Local Appointments Commission,
1 Lower Grand Canal Street, Dublin 2.
Latest date for receiving completed application
forms
4th September, 1975.
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