The Gazette 1985

GAZETTE

SEPTEMBER1985

basis of fortnightly attendances by a solicitor from Limerick. Ground Rent Purchase Scheme. 37. Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delay in completing the transfer of ground rent purchases under the ground rent purchase scheme; the number of applications outstanding; and how long it is taking at present to complete the purchase of the fee simple (a) where consent is given and (b) where arbitration is involved. Minister for Justice (Mr. Noonan, Limerick East): Prior to 1983 the average annual intake of applications under the ground rents purchase scheme was roughly 5,500. In 1983 the intake increased to 19,378, largely due to the fact that the scheme had been scheduled to end on 31 July 1983. As the staff restrictions applicable to the Civil Service generally were in force in 1983 and as the Land Registry is a part of the Civil Service it was not possible to recruit additional staff to deal with the huge increase in the intake of work with the result that since 1983 there have been long delays in processing applications. At the beginning of 1985 there was an arrear of 18,754 applications. By the end of October 1985 the arrear had been reduced to 14,399 applications, a reduction of 4,355 or 23.2 per cent. The reduction is mainly attributable to (a) a drop of 73.5 per cent in the intake of applications in 1985 compared with 1984 and (b) the use of modern technology in the processing of the applications. On the basis of the output now being achieved average delays are one year and three years in consent and arbitration cases respectively. •

Grade

1 Nov. 1982 1 Nov. 1985 1 Nov. 1984 1 Nov. 1985

Registrar

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

1

Deputy Registrar

1

Manager

1

5

5

5

5

Chief Fxaminer of Titles

Assistant Manager Fxamincr of Titles

1

1

1

1

10

10

10

10

Assistant Principal Officer Higher Fxeculivc Officer

7

8

8

8

.10 51 20 49

29 49 20 45

29 49 20 41

50 50 20 45

Fxeculivc Officer

Staff Of riecr

Clerical Officer Clerical Assistant Mapping Adviser

124

118

117

126

1

1

1

1

5

5 8

5 8

5 8

Chief Superintendent, Mapping Regional Mapping Director

8

Superintendent, Mapping F.xaminer-in-C'hargc Fxanhncr of Maps Mapping Draughtsman

11 25 65 26

11 25 60 25

11 25 59 22

11 25 58 20

Record Clerk Head Searcher Papcrkcepcr

4 8

4 7

4 6

4

5

27 15

24 12

25

25

Messenger

12

8

Services Attendant

1 1

1 1

1 1

Nil

Cleaner

1

Totals 451 Applications for registration of title are categorised under two headings:— (1) applications in respect of registered land, known as dealings, which include transfers of property and (ii) applications for first registration, which include section 49 cases. (Section 49 applications account for approximately 55 per cent of the applications in this category). The information requested in respect of those two categories, is as follows:— Number of applications pending. 496 478 464 Civil Legal Aid. 28 Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline his responsibility regarding the provision of a legal aid service in Kerry; and the extent to which this service is available there at the moment. Minister for Justice (Mr. Noonan, Limerick East): I assume the Deputy is referring to civil legal aid. The Legal Aid Board administer the scheme of legal aid and advice but my consent is needed to the establishment of new full time law centres. I made a detailed statement about the scheme on 29 May last in answer to a number of Parliamentary Questions (Official Report, Volume 358, columns 2520 to 2523) and I would refer the Deputy to that statement. In the course of that reply I indicated that arising from the fact that certain moneys had become available under a provision of the Funds of Suitors Act, 1984, the Government had authorised the establishment of a new full time law centre in Tralee to service Kerry. It was expected that that new centre would be in operation before the end of this year. However, the board's plans in regard to the centre are running a little behind time, but I understand from the board that they expect the centre to open in January. The opening of new centres is, of course, subject to general financial constraints which apply in other areas also. Pending the establishment of a full time centre in Tralee the board have since 1983 provided legal aid ser- vices for Kerry through a part time centre at Tralee, servicing from Limerick. The level of services there had to be reduced due to pressures at Limerick and for the past year the service at Tralee has been provided on the Category 1 Nov. 1982 1 Nov. 1985 1 Nov. 1984 1 Nov. 1985 Dealings 20,507 24,550 29,557 52.656 First registration eases 6,001 5,995 6,021 6,192

CHANCERY ART SOCIETY EXHIBITION

Tuesday, 4 March — Thursday, 6 March 1986 5.30 p.m. — 10.30 p.m. BLACKHALL PLACE DUBLIN 7

Members who wish to exhibit with the Society should contact:- Prionnsias Killeen,

32 Claremont Court, Glasnevin, Dublin 11. Tel: 725780, 732233 ext. 408.

343