The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.
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 this regard, it is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment with a Damage Condition Rating of 2. Dwellings which do not have a Damage Condition Rating of 2 are not eligible to apply under the scheme. This ensures that, having regard to the available resources, the focus of the scheme is on dwellings which are most severely damaged by pyritic heave. I have no proposals to amend this eligibility criterion.
A sum of €22 million was announced under Budget 2017 to fund the operation of the pyrite remediation scheme in 2017. This allocation will facilitate the remediation of some 400 additional dwellings this year and is a clear signal of the continuing importance attached by Government to addressing the issue of significant pyritic damage in private dwellings.
The latest figures available indicate that a total of 1,798 applications have been received under the pyrite remediation scheme. Of the 1,798 applications received so far, 1,309 dwellings have been included in the pyrite remediation scheme and the applicants notified accordingly. A further 191 applications have been validated and referred to the Housing Agency for the Assessment and Verification Process, while another 197 applications are at the initial Application and Validation Process. 101 applications under the scheme were not successful. The process by which each application received by the Board is examined and processed remains unchanged.
Of the 1,309 dwellings that have been included in the pyrite remediation scheme:
- 339 are at remedial works planning stage,
- 1 is at tender / tender analysis,
- 47 are at tender decision,
- 127 are under remediation, and
- 795 are complete.
My Department keeps the funding situation under review and in the event of additional funding being required in 2017, the potential for re-allocation of savings arising elsewhere within my Department's budget is open to consideration.
