Farm sales falling through because of 'inefficiencies in Tailte Éireann' - senator
Farm sales are "falling through because of inefficiencies in Tailte Éireann, a senator has claimed.
Senator Victor Boyhan voiced his concerns about about Tailte Éireann during a Seanad debate during which he said "critical changes" were needed to ensure that it could fulfil its brief.
Tailte Éireann, a state agency, that was established in 2023, is responsible for property registration, property valuation and the national mapping service.
According to Senator Boyhan it plays an obviously crucial role in the context of the registration of farmland and commercial properties.
However, he outlined to the Seanad some of the feedback that he has received about the agency including that he "heard stories about how nobody could find out who owned properties the local authority was involved with".
"We must have a co-ordinated response with respect to the work of Tailte Éireann," the senator said.
Senator Boyhan raised questions in the Seanad about whether the agency has sufficient resources or the capability and skills with respect to IT resources and training.
"We need confidence in Tailte Éireann's capacity to provide an authoritative land and property database in a timely manner.
"It is not happening. In essence, I have no confidence in Tailte Éireann and many people do not either," he said.
Responding to Senator Boyhan in the Seanad, Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, said that the "continued increase in applications received for registration" by the agency and "challenges in recruitment for some time now have unfortunately contributed to an accumulation of applications for registration".
Minister McConalogue added: "To address this, Tailte Éireann has embarked on a targeted recruitment campaign where a significant number of new staff have are now being onboarded who, when fully trained, will allow Tailte Éireann to reduce waiting times for registration services.
"Tailte Éireann has advised me improvements have been made to date in throughput times, especially for cases that do not require mapping.
"The department is confident that as the full complement of staff is successfully onboarded it will be in a position to reduce waiting times across all application types."
The minister also confirmed that applications involving transfer of registered land "where no change to the registry map is required are in the main processed within 15 working days".
