Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 March 2023
90. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if temporary funding will be made available for remedial work on apartment defects to be commenced before the relevant legislation is introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15659/23]
View answerI received Government approval on 18 January to draft legislation to establish supports for the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. This legislation will provide a statutory basis for the establishment of a remediation scheme aimed at protecting the safety and welfare of those living in apartments or duplexes with such defects.
In order to ensure that important life-safety works are not paused, remediation works related to fire safety defects, entered into or commenced from 18 January 2023, will form part of the remediation scheme, subject to terms and conditions. Such works will need to be agreed with local authority Fire Services.
A Code of Practice in the context of the Fire Services Acts, to provide guidance to relevant professionals, including guidance on interim safety measures, is currently being developed. The scheme will incorporate a means or methodology, based on the Code of Practice, for prioritising the allocation and nature of support and funding, including the funding of interim measures, to ensure that the highest risk buildings will be the first to be supported.
Work is underway to draft the required legislation which will include the scope, eligibility and conditions of the remediation scheme.
