Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
137. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide additional details on the independent appeals process as part of the new regulations for the defective concrete blocks scheme, including who will administer the appeals process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34419/23]
View answerThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023, and the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) were adopted on 29 June 2023.
Section 37 of the Act provides for the establishment of an Appeals Panel, consisting of a maximum of 10 people, one of which is to be the Chairperson. Under the Act, the Appeals Board shall be independent in the performance of its functions.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) carried out a campaign to recruit the members of the Panel. and they have recommended a number of suitable candidates for the Panel. I expect to be in a position to make appointments shortly.
Points of appeal available to a DCB applicant include validation stage by the local authority, Housing Agency damage threshold determination, remediation option, and grant amount approved and where a local authority refuse to make a grant payment pursuant to grant approval.
Once a valid appeal is received the Chairperson of the Appeals Panel shall constitute an Appeal Board of three persons from among the members of the Appeals Panel to determine the appeal. My Department will provide the necessary administrative support to the Appeals Panel as mandated by the Act.
