Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 October 2017
183. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of dwellings on which core tests were carried out under the pyrite remediation scheme for each of the past five years; the number of dwellings that were re-tested twice, three times, four and five times, respectively in each of the past five years; his plans to change the present system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43233/17]
View answer184. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason for the lengthy delays in the Housing Agency securing the results from core tests on random properties under the pyrite remediation scheme; the action taken by his Department to address the source of the delays, including requiring the use of a number of different geologists and ensuring that the proper core testing in compliance with the new standard is undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43234/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together.
The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the Pyrite Remediation Scheme. The Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Board is independent in the performance of its functions and, as Minister, I have no role in the operational matters (including sampling and testing) pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. The Board may be contacted by phone at Lo call 1890 252842 or by email to info@pyriteboard.ie or, alternatively, at publicreps@housingagency.ie.
In regard to the Testing and Categorisation Protocol, the Report of the Pyrite Panel (June 2012) recommended a categorisation system as a means of prioritising pyrite remediation works in recognition of the expensive and intrusive nature of pyrite remediation and the unpredictability of pyritic heave. The independent Pyrite Panel was clear in its view that only dwellings with significant damage due to pyritic heave should be remediated and that it would be unreaso nable to expect dwellings not exhibiting such damage to be remediated. Dwellings which have no significant damage but have reactive pyrite in the hardcore material should be monitored and only remediated if they display significant damage due to pyritic heave. This remains the position with regard to dwellings which do not display significant pyritic damage.
On foot of this recommendation of the Pyrite Panel, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) published I.S. 398-1:2013 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol in 2013. The standard provides the means by which dwellings that may be affected by pyrite can be tested and categorised.
In late 2015, the National Standards Authority of Ireland commenced a review of I.S. 398-1:2013 in the light of practical experience since the standard was first introduced in January 2013.
The standard was updated and revised to reflect the on-site experiences and evidence gathered by technical experts, such as engineers, geologists, professionals providing sampling and testing services and other technical experts, who have been using the standard over the past four years and was published on 4 August 2017.
I welcome revised standards published by the NSAI. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I am currently in consultation with the Pyrite Resolution Board in relation to the revised standard.
My Department is in regular contact with the Pyrite Resolution Board and the Housing Agency with regard to the implementation of the scheme. Any amendments which the Board consider are required to the scheme as a result of the revised standard will be given full consideration should they be submitted to me in accordance with the requirements of the Act.
