Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
475. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total expenditure to date on the pyrite remediation scheme and the defective block remediation scheme; and the expenditure expected by the end of 2022. [28977/22]
View answerThe Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme. The provisions of the Act apply only to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave consequent on the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” for affected homeowners who have no other practical option to obtain redress and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie. To date, €158.7m has been spent on the scheme since it was established in 2014, this includes €7m in 2022. The Scheme has an allocation of €20m for 2022 and it is expected to spend the remaining €13m by year end.
I brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on the 30 November 2021. It included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. Government approved the enhanced scheme which it was estimated at that time would cost approximately €2.2Bn. I aim to bring the required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme before the Oireachtas in the coming weeks.
Donegal and Mayo County Council have responsibility for the administration of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme. This includes the assessment of applications for eligibility and payment of grants to successful applicants under the specific remediation option approved. The grant value of applications currently Stage 1 approved under the scheme is approximately €105 million. There is a very significant time lag before Stage 2 submissions are received by local authorities as applicants have their remediation works designed, the works costed by their chosen contractor and planning permission, if required, is secured. Approximately €8.4m has been recouped so far to local authorities.
Budget 2022 provides funding of €40m to fund the operation of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme.
