Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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643. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if in relation to a matter (details supplied) he will report on the nature of the issue arising; when it is expected to be resolved; the immediate alternative measures being put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62258/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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It is important to clarify that applications for registration on the National Land Register, or applications for archive records in the Registry of Deeds in Henrietta Street are not affected by the issue in Tailte Éireann’s Central Filing Repository in Santry. Only records pre-dating 2006 are impacted and normal copy services are in operation for post 2006 records.

When a title is accepted for registration in the Land Registry, the original title documents are retained and permanently filed in an Instrument. A folio is opened in respect of the property and generally it is not necessary to refer to the original title documents again. A purchaser can, therefore, accept the folio as evidence of title without having to read the relevant deeds. There are circumstances during an investigation of title where the original title deeds will need to be inspected and a request for a copy Instrument is made to Tailte Éireann’s repository.

An issue has been identified at Tailte Éireann’s Central Filing Repository, which houses completed registration applications (Instruments). During a recent inspection, the presence of asbestos was detected in part of the facility. As a precautionary measure, access to the affected area has been restricted until it is deemed safe for operations by the Office of Public Works. The OPW as accommodation provider is the body responsible for the environmental cleaning and contracting the specialist companies undertaking the works.

The OPW has advised Tailte Éireann that the environmental clean, necessitated following the identification of asbestos at the Central Filing Repository, will be completed in mid-December. Tailte Éireann is engaging with the OPW on an ongoing basis on the remediation of these issues to allow operations to resume as soon as it is safely possible to do so. The health and safety of Tailte Éireann's staff and all those accessing the facility remains a priority.

Tailte Éireann understands the impact and regrets the inconvenience this may cause and want to assure customers that Tailte Éireann is working urgently to resolve the issue and restore the service as soon as it is safe to do so. Tailte Éireann will provide further updates at the earliest opportunity via the website: www.tailte.ie.