Joint Office will enhance human resources, technological systems to increase efficiency – Minister Schembri

Over 1,100 applications have been received so far for the Redemption Scheme of temporary emphyteusis and leases, out of which over 300 applications have been processed by the Joint Office.

Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri visited the office, set up between the Holy See and the Government of Malta in relation to the transfer of ex-Church property in Malta to the State of Malta, as per the agreement signed back in 1991. The Joint Office currently falls under the remit of the ministry.

In its 28 years of history, the Joint Office has ensured the diligent processing of the lands transferred to the State of Malta, by managing and administrating, verifying, validating, and reconciling the data transferred and finally registering all properties at the Land Registry.

“Out of 50,000 properties, 38% have been registered during the past years. A low percentage, which reflects the rigorous work that needs to be carried out, particularly on the gathering of data. Moreover, for the past years, this office was undermanned and lacking in human resources and it was, in fact, during the last budget through which this office was for the first time allocated a budget to enhance its operations.

“Thus, as a government, we are constantly open for discussions to identify means to reduce bureaucracy. Hence, together we shall be looking at seeing the Joint Office enhance its human resource and, where possible, make use of technological systems to increase efficiency,” Schembri said.

Schembri added that last year the Office also continued to receive applications under the 2019 Redemption Scheme, for the redemption of ground rent burdening resident-occupied properties or summer residences. So far, over 1,100 applications have been received, of which 295 have been successfully processed by the Office.

The Director General of the Joint Office Duncan Mifsud said that in 2020 the Joint Office registered over 895,751 sqm of land in the name of the government at the Land Registry, of which 187,791 sqm consisted of agricultural land in different areas of Malta and Gozo. In 2020, the Joint Office continued to reconcile the values of properties previously owned by the 127 different Ecclesiastical Entities.

During the year, work on another 17 entities was in hand, out of which three were reconciled, thus by the end of the year the Joint Office reconciled 83 entities. The Office is currently undergoing administrative changes primarily intended to streamline and improve on existing work processes. With the introduction of these changes, as well as an increase in its workforce, the Office will, in the coming months, be in a much better position to hasten the registration process in the name of the government.