Delays granting probate
Senator O’Sullivan requests a Justice Minister statement on serious probate delays, which are causing distress to recently bereaved families, particularly in Kerry.
It is another example of Sinn Féin speaking out of one side of its mouth in the Republic and out of the other in the North. Its partitionist mentality has been exhibited once again.
Will the Leader ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House to make a statement on delays in granting probate? Probate is the first step in the promulgation of wills. There are significant delays both in the Dublin district and the other 14 sub-districts around the country. Taking out probate is important and traumatic for people who have been recently bereaved. The waiting time in County Kerry is six weeks and longer than that elsewhere. Senator Rónán Mullen referred to the issue in the House recently.
The matter has been brought to my attention by a number of constituents. There appears to be a staff shortfall in the probate offices located throughout the country. I have also been informed that the offices are way behind in the use of information technology. I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister responsible to address these problems that occur at a traumatic time for the bereaved.