John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

408. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason for delays in the processing of land registration applications, including amendments relating to boundary errors; the reason requests to expedite such applications are now accepted only from legal representatives; if he is aware of the additional legal costs to applicants as well as the impact these delays are having on individuals, including first-time buyers who are purchasing or constructing a home and are subject to mortgage approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29456/26]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Tailte Éireann is an independent Government agency under the aegis of my Department. Tailte Éireann provides a property registration system, property valuation service and national mapping and surveying infrastructure for the State. Under section 8 of the Tailte Éireann Act 2022, Tailte Éireann is independent in the performance of its functions.

The continued increase in applications received for registration by Tailte Éireann year over year, and challenges in recruitment for some time, have resulted in longer processing times for certain application types, however these delays are alleviating, with significant progress achieved to date in reducing the age profile of applications on hand.

As part of Tailte Éireann's resourcing strategy, an accelerated recruitment programme was launched to address the high volume of vacancies and strengthen operational capacities in response to the increasing service demands. As a result, the Registration team within Tailte Éireann is now fully staffed with additional capacity to support ongoing improvements in the delivery of registration services and contribute to the timely processing of applications.

Applications for registration which involve a transfer, charge or release of registered lands, where no change to the registry map is required, account for approximately 60% of applications for registration. These applications are typically processed within 15 working days where the application is lodged in order.

Applications submitted electronically through eRegistration account for approximately 18% of all applications received and are processed within 10 working days. eDischarges are typically processed within 2 working days. Tailte Éireann continues to promote electronic registration services to its customers to improve processing times for all applicants.

Processing times for applications which do require a change to the map, including those seeking a boundary amendment, and those requiring first registration of property, are improving due to the impact of resourcing and implemented procedural efficiencies.

In cases where any delay in registration could have a potential impact, Tailte Éireann makes every effort to expedite applications which are in order, where valid grounds exist, and where doing so does not impose a conflict in regard to priority given to any prior lodged dealing.

Requests to expedite applications may only be accepted from the lodging party to ensure that requests are made by the party responsible for lodging and progressing the application and to maintain a fair, consistent and impartial process of processing registrations. Tailte Éireann may only take instruction from the lodging party in processing the application, however, when put on notice that the applicant is experiencing undue hardship as a result of any delays, the matter will be reviewed by the appropriate team in Tailte Éireann.

Lodging parties may contact Tailte Éireann in relation to a specific case by email at info@tailte.ie. Further information in relation to specific cases may be obtained by Oireachtas members by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of Tailte Éireann at oireachtas@tailte.ie.

It may be noted that the registration of the legal effect of a conveyance comes at the end of the process, after the documents are executed and should, in the vast majority of cases, not lead to any delay in the conveyancing process as the purchaser is already in occupation of the property. In a recently published guide by the Law Society to avoid delays when selling property, the seller, or their solicitor, should have all of the required deeds and documents in order prior to putting the property on the market to avoid delays.

Tailte Éireann has advised me that improvements have been made to date in throughput times and I am confident that they have the resources and procedures in place to further reduce waiting times across all application types.