449. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of delays within Tailte Éireann in processing mapping, registration and related property matters that are affecting homeowners’ ability to progress applications under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; the number of applications that have been delayed as a result; the average waiting time being experienced by applicants; the measures being taken by his Department and Tailte Éireann to address these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47311/26]

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.

It should be noted at the outset that Registration on the National Land Register occurs at the end of the conveyancing process, post purchase and draw down of funding. Registration of the legal effect of a property transaction should be done after the documents are executed and, in the vast majority of cases, should not result in any delay in conveyancing.

It is not possible for Tailte Éireann to provide details of applications lodged which are related to the defective concrete blocks grant scheme as these details are not required for registration purposes and the scheme does not fall under the remit of Tailte Éireann.

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.

Applications for registration on the National Land Register must first meet Tailte Éireann’s minimum requirements to proceed to registration. A significant percentage of applications continue to be lodged that do not meet the minimum requirements as outlined on various checklists available on www.tailte.ie. This results in an administrative burden for Tailte Éireann and longer processing times for all applicants.

Tailte Éireann aims to complete initial validation checks on all applications within 15 working days of receipt of an application. Where avoidable errors are identified, the application is returned efficiently to the lodging party for amendment and re-lodgement.

Applications which meet the minimum requirements for lodgement will pass through validation and on to the next stage of processing in date of lodgement order in accordance with Rule 58(1) of the Land Registration Rules 2012-2021 as amended.

Applications for registration which involve a transfer, charge, or release of registered lands, where no change to the registry map is required, and applications submitted electronically through eRegistration account for approximately 78% of applications for registration. These applications are typically processed within 15 working days where the application is lodged in order.

Processing times for applications which do require a change to the Registry map are improving due to the impact of additional resourcing and implemented procedural efficiencies throughout the registration application process.

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