PR 02/23 | The Irrestawra Darek Farce
The launch of the Irrestawra Darek scheme earlier today signalled the epitome of the Planning Authority’s disregard for the profession.
The scheme, which was heralded which much pomp and fanfare, opened at 12 noon today. To the consternation of periti and their clients, the online application platform collapsed within seconds under heavy traffic of users all trying to race each other at getting their applications through. After two hours of refreshing the error pages, the application form disappeared from the website indicating that the scheme may have been shut down by the Planning Authority altogether.
The scheme wasted a full week of work of several architecture studios, with the risk that disappointed customers may blame their architects for their unsuccessful attempts at applying, rather than the preposterous application system adopted by the PA, and not pay them for their services.
This is indeed not the first time this scheme has failed for similar reasons, although never was this scheme managed as badly as today. The Planning Authority launched this scheme without heeding any of the recommendations the Kamra tal-Periti had given it in past editions, including the removal of the first-come-first-served basis, and keeping the scheme permanently open.
This time, however, the Kamra cannot be satisfied with sending polite and articulated recommendations which remain ignored. Indeed, the Kamra is making the following demands pursuant to today’s debacle:
- The Planning Authority issue an apology to all periti for the disdain shown to the profession through the logistics behind the scheme. A similar apology should be issued to the clients who missed out on the scheme.
- An immediate repeal of the first-come-first-served basis, and the reopening of the scheme until the end of June 2023 to allow everyone who did not win the browser refresh lottery to have an opportunity to benefit from the scheme.
- The drawing of lots from all eligible applicants after June 2023 to determine who will succeed in getting the funds.
- The immediate reopening of the scheme without an end-date and the placing of applicants in a waiting list until funds are made available again.
