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Defective Building Materials

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023

Tuesday, 10 October 2023

Questions (305, 310)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

305. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department officials will establish the banking working group to engage with the banks and financial institutions and assist families affected by defective concrete blocks; if the homeowner representatives that have engaged with all of the stakeholders, including the Minister for Finance, the Central Bank and the Banking and Payments Federation, over recent months will serve on this working group. [44048/23]

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Thomas Pringle

Question:

310. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if will establish a working group that will include the banking and insurance sectors to deal with the defective blocks scheme; if residents will be represented on the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44172/23]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 310 together.

There have been a number of engagements between my Department and the Banking and Payments Federation (BPFI) on specific issues raised by Defective Concrete Block (DCB) homeowners to see what can be done to address their concerns. I am aware also that homeowners have engaged directly on a bilateral basis with other stakeholders including the BPFI and Insurance Ireland, on matters of mutual interest.

I have established an Implementation Steering Group to work through issues around the DCB scheme as they arise and make recommendations if further changes to the regulations or guidelines on the Scheme are needed. The Group comprises the relevant local authorities, my Department, the Housing Agency, and the Homeowner's Liaison Officer and has met in August and September with the next meeting scheduled for this week. This Group will report directly to me and will prepare a report on the first six months of operation of the scheme.

My Department will continue to engage with the BPFI and others over the coming weeks. The appropriate format for engagement going forward with a wider group of stakeholders including homeowners will be considered with due cognisance being given to the existing consultative fora.

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