asked the Minister for the Environment the number of quantity surveyors currently employed by his Department and working on the evaluation and administration of application for certificates of reasonable value.
10.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Certificates of Reasonable Value.
9.
asked the Minister for the Environment the total number of staff directly involved in the evaluation and administration of applications for certificates of reasonable value in his Department.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
The total number of staff involved in the processing of applications for certificates of reasonable value is 18, of which four are quantity surveyors: of the four quantity surveyors, two are employed in a part-time capacity.
I am grateful to the Minister for the information given in his reply. Could he indicate when the quantity surveyors were employed?
First of all, staff levels have increased since 1977, when less than half of the present staff were there. With regard to quantity surveyors, the position is that there are two authorised posts of quantity surveyor—one if filled and there is one vacancy. Two Dublin Corporation surveyors are engaged on an overtime basis and one retired Dublin Corporation quantity surveyor is retained on a fee basis. There is a vacancy, if that is what the Deputy is referring to. Certain problems arose in regard to superannuation and so on which, hopefully, will be resolved very soon and the post will be duly advertised.
Could the Minister indicate how long the difficulties in filling these posts and the fact that they are being done on a nixer basis have existed?
The vacancy for a grade I quantity surveyor has existed since November 1978 and has not been filled due to problems in relation to the terms and conditions of employment, which have been resolved, and the designation of the post for superannuation purposes in the Department of the Public Service.
Finally, could I ask if the Minister is satisfied with the administration of the CRV system?
I am reasonably satisfied.
Reasonably satisfied? After the replies the Minister has just given?
Reasonably satisfied. With the added staff I am sure we can do the job.
To be reasonably satisfied with the time lapse since 1978 is incredible.
We are spending an undue length of time on each question.
The Deputy asked if I were satisfied with the administration. The time lapse is not excessive.
The building industry has been screaming for these quantity surveyors.
Could I ask the Minister is it the same staff who are dealing with these applications and with the exemption from the need to obtain the CRV? Is that part of the same job?
It is all the one.
The total staff for that section. The CRV is a certificate.
And the staff deal with applications for exemptions?
Yes.
Is the Minister not aware of the very long delays pertaining all over the place? People are complaining because they cannot get these exemptions, particularly people looking for county council loans.
The delay is not unusual.
No, it is not unusual. The delays are adding extra difficulties to people who are awaiting loans.
That should not be so.
It is happening.
I shall certainly inquire if it is so. The getting of a certificate of exemption is quite a quick process.
If that is the way, God help the Department.
11.
asked the Minister for the Environment when he proposes to make the relevant ministerial orders to make operational those sections of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1979 in relation to certificates of reasonable value.
I expect to be in a position to bring the relevant provisions into operation next month.
The Minister is well aware that the provisions will require virtually every kind of property purchased with a loan to have a CRV. Does he mean, therefore, to have the full staff complement of four quantity surveyors on a full-time basis within one month's time, to operate the new Act?
I hope to be able to deal with the matter as I have already dealt with the previous question with regard to quantity surveyors. Might I add that there is a tremendous scarcity——
The Deputy is asking a question which relates to the previous question.
——of quantity surveyors.
The effect of this order being brought into operation will be considerably to increase the volume of demands for CRVs, as the Minister well knows. I am asking if, in one month's time, he will have the permanent staff resources required to deal with it, or will there be the continued delay which has happened in the past?
In reply to the Deputy, there is a scarcity of quantity surveyors.
Only in the Minister's Department.
No, Deputy, there is a scarcity of quantity surveyors. I beg to differ.
That is not the way I know it.
Hopefully, we shall be able to get those we require.
The Minister does not know, he is hoping.
Hopefully I said, because there is a scarcity.
12.
asked the Minister for the Environment why he has exempted flats under construction from 1 March 1980 from the provision in part of the requirements of the certificate of reasonable value and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My decision in relation to certificates of reasonable value for flats was that the certificates would not be required for loan purposes in respect of flats which formed part of a block commenced prior to 1 March 1980. This decision was taken following strong representations made to me on the problems which the decision to make certificates of reasonable value a requirement of loans for all new dwellings had created. I am satisfied that builders had particular problems associated with flat projects which were either completed or under construction where some flats had been sold and others had not. One of the main problems was the difficulty in preparing detailed submissions in relation to a part of a development and the time which would be required to prepare applications. Lengthy delays at that stage could have serious consequences for employment in that sector of the industry. Certificates of reasonable value are, of course, still required for flats for the purpose of eligibility for the £1,000 grant and exemption from stamp duty.
Will the Minister not admit that it is a concession on his part to say that the CRV system is not working as effectively as we wanted it to work? Further, does the Minister not think that he requires special assistance from Government resources to get the staff to process the system or otherwise to cancel it? He should run the system properly or cancel it. Even in his reply he spoke of the lengthy delays. These delays are in the processing of the CRVs.
As the Deputy probably knows, applications for flats are different from those in respect of houses because they are more detailed. They will take longer to process because of the nature of the structure and so on. With regard to the date of 1 March, most of these developments are financed by commercial banks and they did not require CRVs until 1 March. I gave a concession in respect of those started or completed before 1 March.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister tell the House the position regarding flats after 1 March?
The concession is only for those started before 1 March or completed before that date.
(Cavan-Monaghan): What is the position in respect of flats started after that date?
CRVs will apply in such cases.