Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
658. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commission specific guidelines for local authorities setting out the current thinking on the issue of defective blocks as an interim measure while the National Standards Authority of Ireland is undertaking its review of IS 464 (details supplied). [40174/22]
View answerFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Housed of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President. I have progressed this legislation to ensure that we can have the scheme ready for homeowners to access by the end of the year.
The purpose of this Act is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
The decision made by Government last November called for a number of reviews to be completed. This included a review of the I.S. 465:2018 standard and the consideration of the issue of other potentially deleterious material e.g. pyrrhotite and the impact, if any, on foundations.
I am aware of homeowners concerns in this regard and have asked NSAI to review I.S. 465 and carry out all necessary research as a matter of priority.
Once the necessary review has been concluded and any revised standard published I can confirm that the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme will be reviewed at that point having regard to any amended standard.
Guidelines were issued on 29 May 2020 to Donegal and Mayo County Councils to facilitate, promote and support a consistent approach to the operation and administration of the existing defective concrete blocks grant scheme.
On 25 February 2022 I issued further guidelines to both Donegal and Mayo County Councils in relation to the implementation of the three enhancements under the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 to amend the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020.
Guidelines to facilitate, promote and support a consistent approach to the operation and administration of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme are being drafted by my Department. It is intended that these will be issued to the relevant local authorities ahead of commencement of the enhanced scheme.
