I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.
The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme is underpinned by regulations made under Sections 2 and 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1979, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to 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 scheme is targeted at assisting a group of homeowners that have no other practicable options to access redress for their home.
The scheme design was informed by the comprehensive work of an Expert Panel and the current maximum grant amounts payable under the various options in the scheme were finalised in close consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This process was also informed by extensive engagement between my Department and both Donegal and Mayo County Councils.
I am putting in place a timebound working group, with representatives from my Department, the local authorities and homeowner representative groups, to review and address any outstanding issues in relation to the operation of the Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme, including issues such as grant caps, homeowner contributions, engineering and allowable costs etc. I expect the review, to be undertaken by the working group, to be completed by 31 July, and will inform any proposed improvements to the Scheme which I will bring forward to Government in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General.