Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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214. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current waiting time to transfer properties with the Property Registration Authority; the length of time the longest applicant is waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45581/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Tailte Éireann is an independent Government agency under the aegis of my Department. Tailte Éireann provide a property registration system, property valuation service, and national mapping and surveying infrastructure for the State. Under Section 8(6) of the Tailte Éireann Act 2022, Tailte Éireann is independent in the performance of its functions.

It is understood from Tailte Éireann that the continued increase in applications received for registration by Tailte Éireann year over year, and challenges in recruitment during this time, have contributed to an accumulation of applications for registration.

In 2023, a request for a planned increase in the pay-bill subhead of Tailte Éireann’s Vote was supported by my Department, and subsequently granted in the Estimates for 2024. Tailte Éireann has experienced significant challenges in recruitment which remains a key priority. To that end it is understood that Tailte Éireann has embarked on a targeted recruitment campaign and continues to engage with the Public Appointments Service to fulfill its staffing requirements.

I am assured by Tailte Éireann that every effort is being made to further reduce application processing times including implementation of the following actions:

• Revised procedures for more efficient handling of applications which are not in order to proceed to registration.

• A targeted approach to reduce the age profile of applications pending registration.

• Revised internal processes aimed at reducing the volume of applications on hand which are not in order to proceed and remain under query.

• Continued promotion of digital services and the uptake of eRegistration services to reduce processing times for all service users.

• An organisation-wide focus on reducing processing times with business process improvements in train or implemented.

Improvements have been made in throughput times, in particular in relation to cases not requiring mapping. I am confident that as the required staff are successfully on-boarded, Tailte Éireann will be in a position to achieve its goal of significantly reducing waiting times across all registration services.

Tailte Éireann has advised that where an application is lodged fully in order for registration, the application will be registered without any long delay. Applications involving transfer of registered land, where no change to the registry map is required, are in the main processed within 15 working days. Processing times for transfers which do require a change to the map, and those requiring first registration of property, are improving.

In cases where any delay in registration could have a potential impact, Tailte Éireann make every effort to expedite applications. To assist Oireachtas members in seeking information regarding specific cases a dedicated e-mail address in respect of Tailte Éireann has been set up at oireachtas@tailte.ie.