Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
610. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average turnaround time for mapping applications; if Tailte Éireann will consider agreeing to a specified time to drive transparency and efficiency in the property transfer process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37381/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTailte 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 occurs at the end of the conveyancing process, post purchase and draw down of mortgage funding. Registration of the legal effect of a property transfer comes after the documents are executed and, in the vast majority of cases, should not result in any delay in the property transfer 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 (www.lawsociety.ie/globalassets/documents/news/2024/speed-up-your-property-sale.pdf) 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.
In addition, Section 90 of the Registration of Title Act 1964 allows for the transfer on sale or mortgage of a property in the absence of registration. Where a property is unregistered, following a sale the obligation to register falls on the purchaser. Both legislative provisions exist to ensure registration is not a barrier in the property market.
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.
It is not possible to give an average processing time for completion of applications for registration which require a change to the Land Registry Map, as each application is different and specific to the applicant and the property. All applications for first registration and applications affecting a part of a folio only, such as a transfer, easement or charge of just part of a property, must progress through various stages of processing, including mapping.
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, including those that require a change to the Registry Map, 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 Tailte Éireann 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 makes 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.
I am confident that as the required complement of Registration staff have now been onboarded, and with process improvement measures taking effect, Tailte Éireann will be in a position to achieve its goal of reducing waiting times across all registration services.
