The Gazette 1991

april 1991

g a z e t t e

tion of the Abstract Record against which all searches are carried out, was initiated in the Registry of Deeds. The project commenced with the data capture of the 1990 Abstract Records which is nearing completion and the next step of capturing the previous 10 years back to 1st January 1980, should be completed in early 1991. The longer plan is to capture the manual Abstract Records for a total of 40 years if the demand justifies sama The benefits from this use of technology will be, I think, obvious to all. The daily retrieval of heavy abstract books, possibly demanded by a number of people at the same time (the multiplicity of demand problem again as with the folio) will be swept away. Finger tip retrieval of information from a number of screens allowing multiple access will be the norm. The Registry of Deeds system has been designed with flexibility in mind to allow it blend with future requirements and technologies. It is intended, in time, to extend the present Grantor Index to include a Property Index. There are also plans to provide automated access to the Memorial. Integration of all aspects of the Registries including maps will be important in the future and this is one of the key issues being addressed by the Strategic Plann- ing Project. The result will be a greater focus on service and efficiency, resulting in an improved service TO YOU, our customers, with faster turnaround times for all of the services which the Registries provide by the optimum use of technology where appropriate. We in the Registries are aware that information is one of our main commodities whether it be from our folio, indices, mapping, or abstract databases and realise that this information must be made available to our customers in the most efficient manner. As you may be aware, the Minister for Justice, Mr. Ray Burke T.D., announced on the 28th of September 1990 that he had re- ceived Government approval in principle to the proposal that the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds should be re-constituted as a Semi-State Body. The Minister stated that so long as the Registries continued to be subject to the con-

straints in the areas of staffing and funding which apply within the conventional Civil Service struct- ures, it is well-nigh impossible for the Registries to provide the public, their customers, with the standard of service to which they are entitled. The Strategic Planning exercise has assumed a greater importance since the Minister's announcement and will be completed by mid December. The fact that the Minister's announcement was made during the currency of the Strategic Planning exercise now means that the Plan will be orientated specifically towards operating in a Semi-State environ- ment. All of the services and improve- ments planned and being put into operation can only be achieved with your help and co-operation. In developing new systems all aspects of present procedures will be analysed including form formats and structures with a view to making entry of information into our systems as streamlined and as efficient as possible. This should result in faster responses to your needs. Your help and co-operation will make the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds the progressive organisation which will provide accurate information how you want it, when you want it and where you want it. *The Consultancy exercise was completed and a Report sent to the Minister in January, 1991.

use of Information Technology. To this end I enlisted the aid of pro- fessional consultants, Price Waterhouse. This is not merely a computerisation implementation plan however. It is the intention to link the business goals and objectives of the organisation with the optimum technological require- ments and organisational functions to enable better usage of existing and future resources. Therefore the Registries as an Organisation are being examined to determine the best structures, practices etc. that would help us fulfil our statutory requirements most efficiently. This plan will provide the basis for development of new technology in the Registries over the next five years. This Strategic Plan will provide the Registries with a clear direction regarding the acquisition and development of technology which will require a high level of investment and expenditure in its initial stages. It will indicate the applications systems of strategic importance to the Registries in " [ T h e ] S t r a t eg ic Pl an w i l l provide the Registries w i t h a clear direction . . . " providing the service or services which you our customers need and expect. To this end, as part of the Planning exercise, the Team conducting the project have spoken to some of you in an attempt to understand and document those requirements. Negotiations are ongoing bet- ween senior staff in the Registry and Lawlink representatives in relation to the provision of Direct Access to the Registrie's databases by practitioners from their own P.C/s, which the Minister for Justice has approved in principle. This is in response to a proposal submitted by solicitors to enable searches and enquiries to be made via telecommunication links to solicitor's offices etc. The Registries are aware of the need in this modern world for up to the minute information particularly in the conveyancing business and we will be striving to meet that need whenever possibla To this end, on the 28 th September last, a programme which involved the computerisa-

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