Significant delays in registration with some exceeding six years
Fianna Fáil TD for Sligo–Leitrim, Eamon Scanlon, has called on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to increase staffing levels within Tailte Éireann in order to improve efficiency and reduce growing delays in property registrations.
Deputy Scanlon said frustration among the public is “through the roof” as a result of how dealings are currently being handled.
“I have received numerous complaints from constituents and from the legal profession regarding the significant delays — some exceeding six years — in the registration of properties.”
Highlighting these concerns to the Taoiseach through a QPL, Deputy Scanlon outlined that the registration system had previously been far more streamlined. Once a dealing was lodged, it progressed through all relevant departments, and any errors or omissions were flagged and returned in a single correspondence before resubmission. Now, however, he said applicants are being forced to jump through “a number of hoops.”
“It now appears to be the practice of Tailte Éireann to send a dealing to the first department and, if any error is noted, it is immediately returned to be amended before proceeding to the next stage. As a result, a dealing can be returned several times, leading to huge delays,” he said.
He also expressed concern over what appears to be a newly introduced requirement that a certified death certificate must be submitted with Form 47s - a change he says has not been communicated to the legal profession.
He added:
“Tailte Éireann is now rejecting applications that do not include a certified copy of a death certificate with Form 47s. This appears to be a new rule, yet it has not been communicated to the legal profession. Previously, an uncertified copy was accepted. How can people comply if they are not informed?”
Deputy Scanlon concluded by urging the Taoiseach to ensure the Department assigns additional staff to Tailte Éireann to help clear the backlog and improve communication.
“It is delay, delay, delay with Tailte at the moment. Once an application is rejected and returned, the lodging party has 28 days to rectify it before the application is abandoned.
“I am appealing to the Department to consider increasing personnel in Tailte Éireann to enhance efficiency and improve service delivery. By doing so, we can alleviate the current backlog and provide clearer communication to those navigating the registration process.”
ENDS