Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2021
307. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the percentage of funding available for the rebuilding or restoration of a house effected by MICA or pyrite under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; the percentage given for counties Limerick, Donegal and Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33113/21]
View answerThe Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 provide for a grant scheme of financial assistance to support affected homeowners in the counties of Donegal and Mayo, to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks. The regulations for the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme came in to operation on 31 January 2020 and opened for applications at the end of June 2020.
The scheme outlines five remedial options ranging from demolition and rebuilding on existing foundations to replacing of external walls only. The maximum approved costs per dwelling under the scheme are significant and range from €55,000 to €275,000 depending on the remedial option. A grant of 90% of the approved costs associated with the necessary remediation works, subject to a maximum for each remedial option, or 90% of the actual cost of the remedial works, whichever is the lesser, is available under the scheme.
The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme currently applies to Donegal and Mayo only. Any consideration of an extension to scheme to other counties would, in the first instance, require the relevant local authority to carry out a rigorous analysis of the issues locally. Such analysis would need to demonstrate that identified issues are due to the presence of excessive amounts of deleterious materials (mica or pyrite) in the aggregate used to manufacture the concrete blocks. The relevant "I.S.465" protocol would need to be followed in this regard. The extent of the problem would also need to be quantified.
I am establishing a time bound working group with representatives from my Department, the relevant local authorities and homeowner representative groups, to review and address any outstanding issues in relation to the operation of the scheme, including issues such as grant caps, homeowner contributions, engineering, allowable costs recoupment etc. The recommendations of this working group will inform any potential changes or improvements to the scheme as may be required which I will bring forward to Government following collaboration with Ministerial colleagues and in particular the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General.
