Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
626. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current average waiting time for the issuing of grants of probate and letters of administration; the number of cases currently pending; the steps he is taking to reduce delays in the probate office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28214/26]
View answer627. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is considering legislative or administrative reforms to streamline the probate process, including digitalisation, simplified procedures for uncontested estates, and fast-tracking probate for vacant residential properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28216/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 626 and 627 together.
The Probate Office is an office of the High Court. Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in the exercise of their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution.
Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in 14 provincial court offices. I, as Minister, have no role in the exercise of probate functions.
I am advised that every effort is made by the Courts Service to ensure that probate services are adequately supported with staff, training and other resources and that the public are assisted in dealing with what can be a complex and sensitive matter. The Probate General Office and Rules Office in Dublin is open to the legal profession and the general public every morning, Monday to Friday, to facilitate general enquiries, filing of court applications, Probate Officer Orders and caveats.
I have been further advised that huge progress has been made to reduce average processing times and this question has been referred to the Courts Service for its direct reply in relation to timelines in each registry.
A key project for the Courts Service, as part of its 10-year modernisation programme, is the introduction of a Unified Case Management System (UCMS), which will enable digital end to end journeys supporting court users and the courts dealing with matters digitally where appropriate. The UCMS will support a broad range of digital applications, responses, case tracking, and order collection – reducing the use of manually intensive paper-based processes.
The UCMS has been rolled out to many back-office operations and is now being piloted for online probate applications, which will be deployed to the rest of the country shortly.
Regarding the number of residential properties awaiting probate, I can advise that the information requested is not recorded by the Courts Service or by my Department.
