Clare Daly
Question:56. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to fully review the operation of the pyrite remediation scheme, including the criteria for inclusion under it. [11180/16]
View answerTuesday, 24 May 2016
Questions (56)
Written answers
The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The scheme is applicable to dwellings which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave established in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol. In addition, applicants under the scheme must be able to demonstrate to the Board that they have no practicable options, other than under the scheme, to secure the remediation of their homes.
My Department is in regular contact with the Pyrite Resolution Board and the Housing Agency with regard to the implementation of the scheme and is satisfied that the arrangements that are currently in place will facilitate the remediation of approximately 600 dwellings by the end of this year. In this regard, I have no proposals to undertake a full review of the operation of the pyrite remediation scheme or to revise the scheme’s eligibility criteria.
While a full review of the scheme is not under consideration, the National Standards Authority of Ireland has commenced a review of I.S. 398 -1:2013 in the light of practical experience since the standard was first introduced in January 2013. This standard sets out the national procedures for the assessment of pyritic damage and for the testing of pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material of dwellings and is a key document in both the operation of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 and the pyrite remediation scheme. My Department understands that this review is now at an advanced stage and that a public consultation will be announced in due course.