Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
585. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware of the delays currently experienced by those using the services of the Property Registration Authority; if she will outline the staff numbers at the Property Registration Authority, in tabular form, for each of the years 2010 to 2014 and for 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30428/15]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that there is no delay in many applications lodged for registration in the Property Registration Authority (PRA), where the application is in order for registration and where there is no defect in the documents lodged for registration. Unfortunately up to 52% of applications lodged are not correct at the date of lodgement. I am informed the PRA has engaged extensively with stakeholders to remedy this and has also introduced appropriate technological solutions to reduce these numbers, with some success.
Where there are delays and a case is urgent and this is brought to the attention of the PRA, the matter is dealt with expeditiously in accordance with the Authority's customer service policy. The length of time taken to complete an application for registration varies depending on a number of factors. These include the nature of the application, the complexity of the case, whether the application requires investigation of title and the completeness of the documentation presented. However when an application is lodged with no defect the turnaround times for different application types are as set out:
(a) All electronic applications (eDischarges of mortgages and eNursing Home charges) are completed within 2 days;
(b) 75% of mainstream applications not requiring changes to the map, which are in order for registration, are completed within 10 working days;
(c) 91% of Copy Folio and Title Plan applications, received electronically, are issued within 24 hours of receipt of application; and
(d) 94% of Official Map Searches are completed within 5 days.
Applications for first registration, which are governed by a complex area of land law and has traditionally required the input of legally qualified staff, have more than tripled since 2010 from 4,139 in 2010 to 11,291 in 2014. The projected figure for end 2015 is approximately 14,000. Completion of such cases has also tripled from 3,109 in 2010 to 9,176 in 2014. The projected figure for completions of such cases in 2015 is 12,276. The outputs this year are up 76% on last year which has largely been achieved through re-engineering business processes and has resulted in over 60% of such cases being processed to completion within 4-6 weeks.
Of the remaining cases requiring investigation of title, the majority of these are not suitable for certification by a solicitor. Projected output for 2015 is 3,477 which is an increase of 76% over 2011 figures. These cases require a high level of case management and there can be delays of up to 2 years in the processing of some cases requiring a full investigation of title, but cases are dealt with on an expedited basis as required.
An agreement was reached in March 2015, facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), to allow for the processing of these cases by a wider range of officers. I am informed that this issue continues to be allocated the highest priority in the PRA and measures are being put in place to bring about the changes facilitated by the LRC which will, over time, lead to further improvements in the timelines for such casework.
The following table sets out the number of staff in the Property Registration Authority in the years 2010 to 2014 and for 2015 to date:
|
2015 (to date) |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
|
491 |
503 |
525 |
555 |
583 |
601 |
