What plans are in place to reduce delays, especially in my constituency of Mayo, in processing probate applications? Probate functions are also carried out by county registrars at district probate registries in 14 provincial offices. Last November, the Government approved an amendment to section 36 of the Succession Act 1965 to streamline the probate process by allowing a district probate registrar to certify that no other applications have been made in respect of the estate of a deceased person.

That amendment will allow district offices to process and issue standard grants more efficiently, allowing shorter probate processing times. It is prioritising the recruitment of additional staff to help reduce waiting times in the district probate registries. We want to speed up the probate process.

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