Written Answers Nos. 541-561
541. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the terms and conditions of the tenant purchase scheme to include income from the rural social scheme when purchasing a rural local authority house now that the six-year time limit has been removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1301/23]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme.
The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides that the Minister may set out a minimum income required to purchase under the scheme. The minimum income requirement has a dual purpose - it ensures the scheme is sustainable and the tenant purchasing the house has the financial means to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period.
In determining reckonable income, local authorities are directed to disregard non-permanent income sources, including the Rural Social Scheme. Given the recent removal of the six-year time limit for participants on the Rural Social Scheme it may be appropriate to reconsider income from the Rural Social Scheme as a reckonable income under the Tenant Purchase Scheme.
Any changes in relation to income disregards may be considered together with other potential changes to the Tenant Purchase Scheme currently being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
543. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 657 of 8 September 2022, the update that his Department received from Tipperary County Council regarding the maintenance and works done at Knocklofty House, Clonmel, County Tipperary; if he will outline his Department’s interest and involvement in preserving the structure, beyond safeguarding the structure from further disrepair, and ensuring its integration into the tourism and heritage sector locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1338/23]
View answerMy role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles and responsibilities of local authorities and owners.
Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including particular structures on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) and managing their development and safeguarding accordingly.
As Minister, I can make recommendations to local authorities for buildings and structures to be included on the RPS. These recommendations arise from the surveys of my Department's National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH).
The inclusion of Knocklofty House on Tipperary County Council's RPS places a duty of care on the owners and the Council itself to prevent the endangerment of the building. My Department provides guidance and funding schemes which can help with the discharge of this duty.
Under the 2022 Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), Tipperary Council was offered grant funding for a number of heritage projects within the county. Works at Knocklofty House were nominated by the Council and approved by my Department as one many projects to receive grant funding. However my Department was informed by Tipperary County Council late in 2022 that the Knocklofty House project would not proceed that year. For further information about this decision I would suggest contacting Tipperary County Council directly.
In May 2021, Minister of State Noonan met with local people to discuss their concerns about Knocklofty House and stressed that crucial to the future of this structure is the identification of a viable use or uses with sufficient income to ensure its survival. The Minister also outlined the financial supports for heritage structures available from my Department under the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the BHIS. While I am disappointed that Knocklofty House was unable to avail of the funds allocated to it by Tipperary County Council in 2022, it remains open to the owners and the Council to make an application to either the HSF or BHIS for 2023 before the deadlines later this month.
544. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the requirements on presiding officers or polling clerks to check and validate photo identification of all voters at polling stations in local and general elections; if any proposals are being considered to review such requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1346/23]
View answerSection 111 of the Electoral Act 1992 and Article 73 of the Local Elections Regulations 1995 provide that a presiding officer may, at his or her own discretion, or if required by a personation agent present in the polling station, require any person attending to vote to produce one of the specified documents as evidence of identity. If he or she fails to produce the document or if the presiding officer is not satisfied that the person concerned is the person to whom the document produced relates, the person shall not be permitted to vote. The documents which may be accepted are prescribed in regulation 2(b) of the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2019.
The purpose of the requirement regarding evidence of identity is to strengthen the safeguards against the offence of personation, particularly against the possibility that the offence may be attempted on a widespread and organised basis. It is not intended that the provision would be so operated as to prevent qualified electors voting.
The Manual for Presiding Officers, prepared by my Department for each electoral event, advises presiding officers to seek evidence of identity:
- whenever requested by a personation agent present in the polling station;
- whenever the presiding officer suspects that a person is attempting to commit personation; and
- in the case of 25% of the persons attending to vote selected at random throughout the day.
In exercising his or her discretion in regard to the last of these, the presiding officer, in addition to complying with requests by personation agents or where there is a suspicion that a person is attempting to commit personation, should request a minimum of 25% of the electors attending his or her station to produce one of the specified ID documents. Presiding officers are advised that the electors should be selected at random throughout the day but particular attention should be paid at rush hours when it is most likely that personation would be attempted.
While electoral law is kept under review, I have no plans at present to amend these provisions.
545. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department can help a group (details supplied) with assistance towards the cost of an archaeological survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1353/23]
View answerThe costs of archaeological work necessitated by development are a legitimate part of development costs. There is no fund maintained by the Department for assistance in such cases. The legal obligation arising in regard to complying with planning conditions or requests for further information by a planning authority falls on the applicant/developer. The licensee holding an archaeological excavation licence under National Monuments Act 1930 is required under the conditions of the licence to prepare a report on the excavation, and is required when applying for the licence to furnish a letter from the person commissioning the archaeological work stating that the latter person will provide all necessary funds. I can confirm that a letter was received in this regard.
546. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Residential Tenancies Board will resolve an ongoing issue for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this issue has been ongoing since July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1373/23]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Acts to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants and as such, the implementation of the new tenancy management system is an operational matter for the RTB.
I am aware that some landlord and agent customers are encountering issues with the new RTB tenancy management system and unfortunately, it has taken longer than expected to overcome these issues, but the RTB has given its assurance that it is committed to working collaboratively and constructively with the sector to move through this period.
The RTB has assured my Department that their customer service teams are spending considerable time with landlords supporting their transition over to digital services, or continuing to support them where paper applications may be more appropriate for them. My Department continuously engages with the RTB to ensure that they are availing of the resources and support available to them in transitioning to this new system and resolving these issues.
The RTB has a very robust process in place for the management of Oireachtas queries. The RTB adheres my Department's Circular Letter LG (P) 05/16 on Oireachtas queries which includes the statutory timeframe which apply namely to acknowledge receipt of the correspondence within 2 working days; and provide a substantive reply within 14 working days.
The RTB has confirmed they respond to the majority of the queries on time, however given the increase in volume, on a small number of occasions towards the end of 2022, this was not possible. I believe however that the issue in question is being addressed by the RTB.
547. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will list all State boards, commissions or other such bodies to which a person (details supplied) has been appointed by his Department from 1 January 2011 to date. [1431/23]
View answerFrom records available to me, all State Boards, commissions or other such bodies to which Patricia King has been appointed by my Department, from 1 January 2011 to date are set out in the table.
|
State Board, Commission, Body |
Details |
|
Housing Commission |
Patricia King was appointed as a member of the Housing Commission in December 2021. The Commission is due to conclude its work during Q3 2023. |
|
Uisce Éireann |
Appointed with effect from 1 January 2023 pursuant to section 6A of the Water Services Act 2013 (as amended). Further details available on www.stateboards.ie |
548. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of strategic housing development applications that were received by An Bord Pleanála for County Cavan where a decision was still outstanding as of 10 July 2022. [1457/23]
View answer552. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of strategic housing development applications received by An Bord Pleanála each year since it was introduced in 2016, in tabular form. [1585/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 552 together.
The planning arrangements in respect of Strategic Housing Developments (SHDs) - allowing planning applications in respect of such developments to be submitted directly to An Bord Pleanala - were introduced under the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016. These arrangements have now been replaced by revised arrangements in respect of Large-scale Residential Developments (LRDs) introduced under the Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021 which restore the two-stage planning process in respect of such developments, with decision making returning to the local planning authority in the first instance, with the subsequent right of appeal to An Bord Pleanála (the Board), thereby delivering on commitments in the Programme for Government as well as Housing for All.
The first SHD applications were received in 2018. From the commencement of the SHD arrangements until end November 2022, the Board received 530 SHD applications as follows:
- 2018- 39
- 2019- 119
- 2020- 112
- 2021- 119
- 2022- 127
No SHD applications were received for Cavan County.
It should be noted that arrangements have been put in place by each Agency under the remit of the Department, including An Bord Pleanála, to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
549. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific delegated functions that have been transferred to Ministers of State appointed in December 2022, in tabular form; and the date of transfer. [1473/23]
View answerI am currently considering the matter of the delegation of particular functions to Minister of State Noonan and Minister of State O’Donnell, respectively, both of whom were recently appointed to my Department. Once this work is completed the appropriate Delegation of Functions Orders will be prepared in respect of both Ministers of State.
550. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the name of the company, organisation or persons contracted to provide media training to him from 1 January 2021 to date; the costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1510/23]
View answerMy Department has not contracted any company, organisation or person on my behalf to provide media training for me during the period specified.
551. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policy relating to assessment of full and half-rate carer's allowance payments in relation to the local authority home loan; if the payments are assessed as income on all applications; if there is any flexibility in the case that the payment puts an applicant marginally over the income limit; if not, if flexibility will be granted given that most banks refuse to consider carer's allowance payments as income, and the last-attempt nature of the local authority home loan application. [1582/23]
View answerIn accordance with scheme's rules, the Local Authority Home Loan has an upper gross income limit for scheme eligibility, which takes into account all relevant household income. The income limit is €75,000 for joint applicants nationwide. It is €65,000 for individual applicants seeking to buy a home in the Greater Dublin Area, Cork and Galway and €50,000 in the rest of the country. Annual gross income as reported for the previous tax year is used to determine income eligibility of the applicant(s) for the Local Authority Home Loan scheme, i.e. taxable income. As Carer's Allowance is a taxable source of income, it is included in the determination of income eligibility.
My Department is currently reviewing the Local Authority Home Loan and will consider this matter further.
Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and lending local authority.
The final decision on Local Authority Home Loan applications is a matter for the relevant local authority.
Further information can be found on the dedicated website localauthorityhomeloan.ie/
553. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff working in An Bord Pleanála in 2016; the number of staff working in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1586/23]
View answerAn Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is: Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie
In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, my Department sought the information requested from the Board, who provided the following information in relation to staffing numbers (which includes Board members) at end of 2016 and to date in 2023:
|
Year |
Headcount |
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) |
|
At end 2016 |
150 |
142.10 |
|
At 11th January 2023 |
206 |
200 |
In November 2022, following an updated assessment by the Board of resourcing issues likely to emerge as a result of planning applications for the National Development Plan and other infrastructure projects, the Boards new marine functions, as well as a number of senior positions approved under the Action Plan for An Bord Pleanála, and in accordance with the 2022-2023 Workforce Plan, the Board sought sanction for 34 additional posts. The Department provided sanction for these additional 34 posts in December 2022 and An Bord Pleanála is in the process of filling these positions.
554. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocated in the budget to An Bord Pleanála in each year from 2016 to 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1587/23]
View answerAn Bord Pleanála is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
A breakdown of the exchequer funding budget allocation for An Bord Pleanála for the years 2016 to 2023 inclusive is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2016 |
€14,533,000 |
|
2017 |
€16,960,000 |
|
2018 |
€17,514,000 |
|
2019 |
€18,548,000 |
|
2020 |
€19,531,000 |
|
2021 |
€17,127,000 |
|
2022 |
€22,166,000 |
|
2023 |
€26,879,000 |
555. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe within which An Bord Pleanála has to make a decision on a planning appeal; if this timeframe must be relayed to the person who has made the original planning application; if this timeframe can be extended; if so, the length of time that it can be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1588/23]
View answerUnder section 126(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), An Bord Pleanála (the Board) has a statutory objective to determine planning appeals within 18 weeks of receipt of the appeal.
In accordance with section 126(3) of the Act, where the Board does not consider it possible or appropriate to reach a decision within 18 weeks (e.g. because of the particular complexities of a case or the requirement to hold an oral hearing), it will inform all parties by notice in writing of the reasons for this, and will indicate when it intends to make its decision. The Board shall take all such steps as are open to it to ensure that the appeal is determined before the date specified in the notice. It is a matter for the Board to determine and specify the length of time in the notice for the making of a decision on an appeal.
Under the draft Planning and Development Bill 2022, which was approved by Government on 13 December 2022, it is proposed to introduce statutory mandatory timelines for all consent processes under the planning code, including appeals and other decisions by the Board, to bring greater certainty to the planning consent process. Where the Board fails to make decisions within the prescribed timelines, it will be subject to fines. My Department is continuing to work with the Board to finalise the exact timelines and these will be included in the finalised Bill. It is intended that the timelines will be introduced on a phased basis once the legislation is enacted.
556. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has any plans to raise the €250,000 threshold for local authority home loans in counties Carlow and Kilkenny, given the increase in house prices across the two counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1604/23]
View answer581. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering raising the house price thresholds for the local authority mortgages in line with average house prices. [2126/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 556 and 581 together.
The Local Authority Home Loan was launched in January 2022. It is a Government backed mortgage for those who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It is available to first-time buyers and "fresh start" applicants to purchase a new or second-hand property, or to self-build. The Local Authority Home Loan has a maximum house price limit of €320,000 in Dublin, Louth, Wicklow, Wicklow, Meath, Cork and Galway, and €250,000 in the rest of the country, including Carlow and Kilkenny.
These limits are currently under review to ensure that the scheme remains relevant in the current housing market.
Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and lending local authority.
The final decision on Local Authority Home Loan applications is a matter for the relevant local authority.Further information can be found on the dedicated website localauthorityhomeloan.ie/
557. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no available emergency accommodation for families in County Tipperary; and his plans to ensure that persons are not forced to sleep on the street as a result of the lack of emergency accommodation. [1610/23]
View answer558. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding will be made available to local authorities to provide emergency accommodation to prevent persons from being forced to sleep in tents. [1611/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 557 and 558 together.
My Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities. Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 sets out the purposes for which costs may be incurred by housing authorities in respect of the provision of homeless accommodation and related services.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place. A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation services and funding required in each region are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum. It is a matter for the Management Group to bring forward proposals to my Department that meet the needs of homeless individuals in their administrative area.
My Department is working closely with local authorities to ensure that sufficient supports and outreach is provided to rough sleepers to encourage them to avail of the emergency accommodation that is available, and funding for all required homeless services will be provided this year. My Department has been in contact with Tipperary County Council and funding is available for any additional emergency accommodation requirements.
559. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement his Department has had with elected representatives on South Dublin County Council regarding the ministerial order to overturn the policy on data centres within that council's development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1640/23]
View answerIn general, it should be noted that there is an established legislative process set out in the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) in relation to the review and adoption of a city or county development plan by a local authority, which is a reserved function of the elected members.
Since the establishment of the Office of the Planning Regulator (the Office) in April 2019, the Office has had responsibility for the evaluation of the making or varying of county and city development plans. The evaluation process is an independent function of the Office.
The OPR provides observations during the drafting of statutory plans. In cases where the OPR finds that a local authority's plans are ultimately not consistent with relevant regional or national policies, the OPR can recommend the use of Ministerial powers of direction, pursuant to section 31 of the Act, to ensure that plans are aligned with statutory requirements and best practice. All OPR submissions issued and recommendations to the Minister relating to Directions can be accessed via the website of the OPR at www.opr.ie/evaluation-of-statutory-plans-list/. It should be noted that there is no legislative provision for direct engagement between elected members and the Minister as part of the section 31 process.
Any observations and recommendations of the OPR which are made to the planning authority at each stage of the development plan review process, are copied to the Minister in accordance with Section 31AM(3)(b).
There is provision made within the Act for elected members to engage with the OPR during the consultation period of a draft Direction (Section 31(10)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) (the Act).
The South Dublin County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 was made by the elected members of South Dublin County Council on 22June 2022. In accordance with section 31AM(6) of the Act, the Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council issued a notice to the OPR to inform the Office where the planning authority had decided not to comply with recommendations made in the relevant report of the OPR.
The OPR considered this notice and issued a notice under section 31AM(8) of the Act to the Minister responsible, on 19July 2022 recommending that the Minister exercise his function to take such steps to ensure that the plan sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development.
The Minister subsequently issued the notice of intention to direct to the Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council on 28July 2022, copying the Cathaoirleach of the Council, the Office and the Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly.
The subsequent process entailed the following steps:
- A 2 week public consultation began on the draft Direction on 10August 2022 which was open for submissions up to and including 23 August 2022. Eight submissions were received directly to the Office from elected members during this time period, pursuant to section 31(10)(a) of the Act.
- Subsequently, the Chief Executive of the Council issued a report to the OPR and the Minister, dated 19 September 2022 on the submissions and observations made to the planning authority on this draft direction.
- The OPR then considered the Chief Executive’s report and submissions received, including those from the elected members, and issued notice to the Minister that included such consideration and recommended that the final Direction issue on the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022 – 2028.
Following consideration of the OPR’s recommendation, the Section 31 Ministerial Direction process on the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028 concluded on 18 November 2022, when the Minister issued a final Direction on the Plan to the Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, pursuant to section 31 of the Act, copying the Cathaoirleach of the Council, the Office and the Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly.
A copy is available at www.sdcc.ie/en/devplan2022/adopted-plan/final-ministers-direction/section-31-final-direction.pdf.
In accordance with section 31(18) of the Act, a copy of the Direction issued was laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
In summary, the issuing of the draft Direction and the issuing of the Final Direction, in accordance with Section 31 of the Act, comprised the direct engagement between the Department and the Minister with the Executive and Cathaoirleach of South Dublin County Council in relation to the Direction. The Section 31 process relating to the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028 has now concluded.
560. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the commitment in Housing for All on the reform of a scheme (details supplied); and if he plans to implement a scheme that will standardise such rental payments across the State. [1664/23]
View answerHousing for All, the Government's housing plan for Ireland, commits to developing proposals for a standardised national differential rents scheme across the country. Following the publication of Housing for All Action Plan Update in November 2022, and having regard to the significant changes in the economic environment over the past year, this action is now scheduled for completion in Q3 2023. A decision to implement a revised national scheme will be considered thereafter, as appropriate.
561. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline in detail the way a property owner in Dublin who has certified mica and-or pyrite in the defective blocks of their home can apply for the defective concrete block grant scheme; if he will set out the method of application in a step-by-step format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1665/23]
View answerThe purpose of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the 2022 Act) is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the grant scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021.
The 2022 Act has currently designated 4 local authorities for inclusion in the Enhanced DCB Scheme, namely Clare, Donegal, Limerick City and County and Mayo County Councils.
Section 5 of the 2022 Act contains details on the process for the inclusion of additional local authority areas into the Enhanced DCB Grant Scheme, which, it should be noted, may include a request by a local authority to the Housing Agency, and whereby the Housing Agency thereafter carries out testing of dwellings. As soon as practicable after the completion of any testing, The Housing Agency shall make a recommendation to me that an order should or should not be made by the Government to designate the whole or part of a local authority's administrative area.
Work on drafting the necessary Regulations to facilitate the commencement of the 2022 Act is ongoing and the Regulations will provide for all matters within the Act which are to be prescribed including but not limited to the grant rates, damage threshold, and the form and content of various reports, certificates, forms, and declarations. It is intended to roll out the new scheme in early 2023, following consultation with key stakeholders through the liaison officer I have appointed.
My Department recently published a comprehensive and updated “Your Questions Answered” document on the Department’s website to ensure homeowners have the most up to date information available to them which can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/775c0-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme-your-questions-answered/
