Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 June 2013
19. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the progress made in introducing legislation to put in place a funding mechanism for the repairs needed to pyrite affected housing here. [27064/13]
View answerFollowing Government approval of the general scheme of a Pyrite Remediation Bill work is now under way, as a matter of urgency, on developing the Bill and it is my intention that it will be published and enacted in the shortest possible timeframe. The Pyrite Resolution Board has made excellent progress on developing the scope and detail of a pyrite remediation scheme, including the terms and conditions of the scheme dealing with eligibility, assessment criteria, procedures, priorities etc. The Board recently launched the initial phase of its website (www.pyriteboard.ie) where it provides an outline of the proposed remediation scheme including the scope of the scheme, the application process and also detailed guidance and information for homeowners on how to identify significant pyritic damage and on the steps involved in the assessment of such damage.
The next phase of the Board’s website will include an on-line application system which it is intended will be available in July. Affected homeowners can register their interest on the website now and will be notified when the application system goes live. Discussions are also continuing with a number of financial institutions with a view to making a loan facility available to the not-for-profit entity being set up by the construction stakeholders to facilitate the early commencement of a remediation scheme. I am attaching a high priority to putting in place the necessary structures to deliver a resolution to the pyrite problems for homeowners who have been waiting for a considerable period of time for effective solutions.
