Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2022
148. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he and his Department will intervene to assist homeowners in an area (details supplied) in relation to payment of bills of €68,000 to rectify the absence of fire and safety regulations in the buildings. [47404/22]
View answer149. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to a full redress scheme for construction defects; if so, if the scheme will be retrospective for persons who have already carried out safety work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47417/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together.
One of my first tasks following the formation of Government was the establishment of an independent Working Group to examine certain defects in purpose built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. At the end of July I received and published the comprehensive report titled Defects in Apartments - Report of the Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing.
Yesterday, I brought a Memorandum to Government to inform Government of the content of the report and of the next steps that I will be taking.
In that context, I will now, in consultation with Government colleagues, develop options with a view to providing support to homeowners who find themselves in a difficult financial situation through no fault of their own.
Firstly, an inter–departmental/agency group will be established to bring forward specific proposals to Government by the end of the year.
In addition, an advisory group to develop a Code of Practice will also be established, to provide guidance to building professionals and local authority building control / fire services, including guidance on interim safety measures, in line with Recommendation 8 of the Working Group’s report and in the context of the Fire Services Acts.
I also intend on liaising with key stakeholders such as homeowner representatives and the insurance sector, as matters progress.
I wrote yesterday to the Construction Defects Alliance to inform them of this progress and my Department is also engaging with the Housing Agency for the provision of advise in relation to implementation of the recommendations of the Report.
Finally, it should be noted that the Minister for Finance yesterday announced the introduction of a 10% levy on concrete blocks and other concrete products. This will provide a sustainable contribution from the construction sector towards the costs of dealing with construction defects over the coming years.
