Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2022
64. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the review of IS 464 and the drafting of the regulations to underpin the new defective block redress scheme. [47283/22]
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 Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022.
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/.
Arising from the Government Decision in November 2021, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) was tasked with delivering a programme of work to address the following technical items:
- A review of I.S. 465:2018+A1:2020 - Assessment, testing and categorisation of damaged buildings incorporating concrete blocks containing certain deleterious materials and its application (including foundations).
- A review by NSAI Masonry Committee of the Irish Standard for Concrete Blocks (including aggregates).
- A review of the impact of pumped cavity wall insulation on cavity wall construction and within homes susceptible to or impacted by defective concrete blocks.
NSAI does not operate under the auspices of my Department. It is an autonomous body under the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and, as such, detail on its programme of work is a matter for the NSAI and its parent Department.
However, an interagency Defective Concrete Blocks – Technical Matters Steering Group has been established to support and inform the NSAI Standardisation Program in relation to technical issues. The steering group includes representatives from NSAI, Geological Survey Ireland, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and representatives from my Department.
The NSAI have been asked to review I.S. 465 and carry out all necessary research as a matter of priority.
Section 51 (2) of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Block Bill, 2022 commits to the commencement of a review of the operation of the Act within 3 months of any review of I.S.465:2018 by NSAI.
Work on drafting regulations is being undertaken by my officials and will apply in respect of all matters within the Act which are to be or may be prescribed by the Minister e.g. the damage threshold, the grant rates and the form and content of various reports, certificates, forms, declarations etc. Guidelines to facilitate, promote and support a consistent approach to the operation and administration of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme will also be drafted by my Department. I intend that the regulations and guidelines be finalised before the end of the year with the scheme opening for applications as soon as possible thereafter but ensuring they are comprehensive and that they will work for everyone is the main priority.
Pending the opening of the new scheme, applications can continue to be made to local authorities and processed under the current Defective Concrete Block grant scheme, underpinned by the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations, 2020 and the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.
