The Gazette 1967/71

Department of Justice, 76 St. Stephen's Green, (Dublin, 2) 19 Feabhra, 1970

70. The changes that are being made in the organisational structure of the office as a result of these recommend ations are so fundamental and far-reaching that Deputies may be interested in a brief outline of them. The traditional organisational structure of the Land Registry has been based on a horizontal stratification of functions. In practice, this meant that groups of staff at different levels were dealing, more or less in isolation, with different facets of the work of the office. A study of the effects of this compartmentali- sation of functions revealed a wasteful multiplication of handling actions and the absence of a sense of commitment and achievement, which resulted in inefficiency. It became evident that a structural reorganisation was necessary so as to effect a closer integration of functions. This is now being effected by the introduction of a system whereby, for example, a dealing is processed from beginning to end by a unified section of staff under a single senior officer. Each section will have responsibility for land in a particular area of the country. Two such sections have been established on a pilot basis, and it is already clear that production has been significantly improved. This system will be extended throughout the Registry as soon as the staffing structure can be adapted to the task. 71. As has been reported to the House on various occa sions, one of the principal difficulties besetting the Land Registry is the recruitment and maintenance of adequate staff to deal with the ever growing volume of business. The study group addressed themselves to this problem and have recommended a grading struc ture which, combined with inbuilt systems of profes sional training and advancement, is much better suited to the specialised nature of the Land Registry's functions. The recommended structure is designed to make a cereer in the Land Registry more attractive, thereby encouraging recruitment and preserving for the Office its experienced staff. The details of the proposed staff reorganisation are at present being worked out. I am, of course, anxious that such a reorganisation of the staff structure should have the fullest regard to the interests of the serving staffs, and it is my intention, as soon as these proposals have been crystallised from the management point of view, to arrange for full discussions with the Staff Side before they are implemented. 72. One of these areas in which bottle-necks have been continually arising is the Mapping Branch of the Land Registry. On the recommendation of the study group, I made arrangements for the secondment to the Land Registry of a highly experienced officer from the Ordnance Survey office. This officer, who has taken temporary control of the Branch, has already recommended some very worthwhile changes in the Mapping procedures, which will serve to expedite the discharge of applications for copy maps and of deal ings involving the services of the Mapping Branch. He is continuing to study the organisation of the Branch in order to equip it to deal efficiently and expeditiously with the growing demands made upon it. Where, and to such extent as, his recommendations will affect the staffs interests, I will arrange before they are implemented, to consult fully with the Staff Side involved. 75. The study group is continuing to examine in depth the detailed procedures of the office. Indeed, it is my intention that these procedures will be kept con stantly under review with a view to any improve- 151

A Chara, I am directed by the Minister for Justice to refer to your letter of 29 January, 1970, and enclosed copy of a letter dated 22 January, 1970, from the Athone Chamber of Commerce, regarding delays in the Land Registry. I am to enclose for your information an extract from the Minister's speech on the Department's estimates, delivered in Dail Eireann in November, 1969, which speaks for itself. Pending completion of the reorganisation of the Office, everything possible is being done to clear the backlog of work and to keep abreast of the current intake of business: the maximum possible amount of overtime is being worked and a special arrears clearance premium scheme has been introduced to deal with arrears in the Mapping Branch. Mise, le meas, S. O'BUACHALLA. The Secretary, Incorporated Law Society of Ireland, Solicitors' Buildings, Four Courts, Dublin, 7. 65. Estimate No. 24 is that for the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds. The figure of £313,000 for the year 1969/70 represents a decrease of £4,000 as compared with 1968/69. The decrease is accounted for mainly by the replacement of senior by junior officers. 66. As mentioned last year, the volume of business coming into the Land Registry has resumed its progressively upward trend. Business, in almost all the various categories handled by the Registry increased in 1968. Dealings, for example, rose from 34,693 in 1967 to 40,514 in 1968. 67. In the case of the Registry of Deeds the number of registrations again increased in 1968, the number being 34,201 as compared with 29,466 in 1967. Appli cations for searches also continued to increase, the figure being 6,235, as compared with 5,465 in 1967. 68. There is no need for me to stress the importance of of the service to the community provided by the Land Registry. Deputies will be well aware of its wide spread ramification in our economic activities. The figures I have just quoted will serve to show how necessary it is that the Land Registry should be organised to cope with what will, by all indications, be a continuing growth in the demands for its services. 69. I mentioned last year that, on my appointment as Minister for Justice, I decided to accord top priority to the improvement of the service which, as Deputies know, has not been satisfactory for some years. As I said then, I arranged for a critical examination of the organisation and procedures in the Registry. This examination is being vigorously undertaken by a special study group whch I set up for the purpose. The group has already submitted 3 reports containing recom mendations, which I have accepted, and I am glad to say that considerable progress had been made towards the implementation of these recommendations. LAND REGISTRY AND REGISTRY OF DEEDS