Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
330. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or his officials have engaged with and-or liaised with Ministers and-or officials in other jurisdictions in respect of issues impacting houses such as pyrite and MICA; if he will provide a schedule of those engagements; and if he will set out the nature of those engagements. [46020/21]
View answerThe Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 came in to operation on 31 January 2020 and the resulting Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme has been open for applications since the end of June 2020.
The Scheme was informed by the work of an Expert Panel and the current maximum grant amounts payable under the scheme were finalised in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This process also took account of the comprehensive engagement that took place between my Department and both Donegal and Mayo County Councils, who operate and administer the scheme.
The terms of reference of the Expert Panel on defective concrete blocks did not extend beyond the jurisdiction of the Irish State.
I have not engaged or liaised with Ministers or officials in other jurisdictions on the matter. I did however receive a written representation from Mr. Colum Eastwood MP on the 21 July 2021. This representation was in relation to a request that consideration be given to the inclusion of non principal private residences under the current Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme relating to Donegal and Mayo only. A response was provided in writing on 2 September 2021.
