Written answers
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Departmental Correspondence
11:00 pm
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 541: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the applications processed by his Department; the average waiting time to process each application; the steps he is taking to speed up the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25132/07]
John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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As set out in its Customer Charter and Customer Action Plan 2006-08, my Department is committed to delivering a very high quality service to all its customers in a timely manner.
The applications from the public which are processed by my Department are diverse in nature and the processing time frames vary according to the nature and circumstances of the scheme in question. The average times for processing each application are set out in the table beneath. In all instances, processing arrangements are kept under review and steps are taken to improve performance where this is feasible. For example, a backlog had arisen in relation to the Cessation of Turf Cutting Scheme due to the large number of applications received. My Department employed consultant surveyors during Summer 2007 to address this issue. The majority of inspections have now been carried out and most of the letters of offer have now issued to the vendors concerned. My Department has also acted to improve its service in relation to Certificates of Compliance and Certificates of Reasonable Cost. In this regard, Housing Inspectors have been temporarily redeployed to regions experiencing high volumes of applications to ensure that the Certificates are issued promptly to applicants.
| Application | Average waiting time |
| Civic Structures Conservation Scheme | This is an annual scheme. It takes approx. 7 weeks from receipt of applications to award offers being made. |
| National Monuments archaeological excavation and monitoring licences | Average time 16 working days |
| Ministerial consent for works in vicinity of national monuments, Ministerial Directions for approved road schemes, Dive licences and Detection Device licences | Length of time varies depending on complexity of archaeological issues involved and the need to consult with the National Museum of Ireland and the Department of Marine, Energy and Natural Resources |
| Licences under the Wildlife Act | Variable depending on type of licence from a few days to 6 weeks |
| National Parks and Wildlife — Farm Plan | Plans are drawn up in conjunction with landholder and the verification process takes 1- 4 weeks. Once checks are completed and plan is forwarded to Head Office, details are entered within 24 hours and payment is made within 2/3 days |
| Off Wintering applications for payment in the Owenduff/Nephinbeg region | Payments are seasonal and are made once the off wintering season is complete. New procedures are being introduced in relation to verification of applications. It is intended that verified applications will be processed within 1 week and that payments will issue from Accounts shortly afterwards. |
| Compensation for cessation of Turf Cutting Scheme | There are a number of stages to this process including site inspections, which may take up to 8 weeks to complete. Once an inspection report is received, a letter of offer usually issues within 1 week. Completion of the process then depends on the duration of contract procedures in specific instances. |
| Applications to have an area included or excluded from a site designated for nature conservation (NHA, SAC, SPA) | Approximate time for processing applications/objections is 34 weeks |
| Floor Area Compliance Certificates, Certificates of Compliance and Certificates of Reasonable Costs (Tax incentive schemes) | It is not possible to give an average waiting time for processing such applications as they can be lodged at various stages of development (pre-commencement, mid construction and completion etc). Site visits, site revisits and partial certification of an application may occur |
| Thatching Grants | Similar to the Certificates above, there are various stages to the application but once the Department is notified that all work is completed, the average processing time is about 6 weeks. |
| Motor Tax Online | Applications are processed overnight and motor tax discs are issued the next working day |
| Access to records under Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 and for environmental information under the Environment Regulations 2007 | Majority completed within statutory timeframe. Where this is not possible due to large volume of records, arrangements are made with applicant |
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