Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
433. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on extending the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme to non-principal primary residences, such as holiday homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34822/23]
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.
The new Enhanced Scheme is now open for applications. Like its predecessor the Scheme is not a compensation or redress scheme rather it is a remediation grant scheme of last resort. It has been put in place by Government in order to voluntarily assist homeowners to remediate damage caused by the use of defective concrete blocks.
The primary focus of the new enhanced scheme remains the remediation of family homes with priority being assigned to those most severely impacted by block defects. This Scheme has been extended beyond the original scope of the 2020 Scheme i.e. Principal Private Residences. It now covers Residential Tenancies Board registered rental properties subject to the introduction of a clawback mechanism upon re-sale within a set time period depending on the remediation option used.
Extending the Scheme to holiday homes would require a primary legislative amendment to the Act. I have no plans to make such an amendment.
