Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2021
245. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider representation by a group (details supplied) on the steering committee that has been set up to advise on the roll-out of a redress scheme. [36370/21]
View answer246. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the explicit inclusion of County Clare homeowners in all issues pertaining to the pyrite and mica defective block remediation going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36373/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 together.
My Department has informed Clare County Council that before any extension of the scheme can be considered, the same rigorous analysis as that put in place prior to the rollout of the scheme to the counties of Donegal and Mayo would have to be undertaken. Following further discussions between my Department and Clare County Council it was agreed that the local authority would take a lead role in determining, in accordance with the IS: 465 protocol, that issues arising in homes in County Clare are in fact due to the presence of excessive amounts of deleterious materials (mica or pyrite) in the aggregate used to manufacture the concrete blocks and secondly quantify the likely extent of the problem in the county.
Such analysis will provide the evidential basis necessary for the consideration of any extension of the scheme. Pending the receipt of and consideration of such analysis it would be premature to consider an extension of the scheme.
Separately, I have established a time-bound working group, with representatives from my Department, the local authorities and homeowner representative groups in Donegal and Mayo, to quickly review and report on any outstanding issues in relation to the operation of the existing Defective Concrete Block Grant scheme. The membership of the working group has already been agreed and will remain unchanged.
The Group will examine issues such as grant caps, homeowner contributions, engineering and allowable costs etc. I expect that the review, to be undertaken by the working group will be completed by 31 July, and will inform any changes or improvements to the scheme as may be required. Following receipt of a report of the working group I will, following consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General, bring proposals in this regard to Government.
