Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 November 2023
50. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the scheme to establish supports for the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings; when this is likely to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48983/23]
View answer51. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the code of practice for the remediation of fire safety defects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48984/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together.
Since the receipt of Government approval in January of this year, I have been working to progress the various programmes of work that are required to place the scheme 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 on a statutory footing.
Key to this has been the development of a Code of Practice for the Remediation of Fire Safety Defects , in the context of the Fire Services Acts, which I published on 25 July at www.gov.ie/en/publication/95159-code-of-practice-for-the-remediation-of-fire-safety-defects/. The purpose of this Code of Practice is to support the development of a reasonable and practicable approach to resolving fire safety defects and to ensure a consistent approach nationwide to remediation. While it does not contain recommendations, it enables stakeholders such as Owners’ Management Companies (OMCs) and industry to align their work with its provisions. Going forward the Code of Practice will be a key document to support the operation of the remediation scheme and will be subject to periodic review.
Importantly, it also provides guidance to OMCs, building professionals and local authority building control / fire services, including guidance on interim safety measures, in the context of the Fire Services Acts 1981 & 2003. My Department continues to work with the local authority sector, particularly Fire Services, to establish the necessary processes and structures to implement the Code of Practice.
The Housing Agency will play a central role in the remediation scheme when it becomes operational. It launched an Expression of Interest Portal on its website in July 2023 which serves as a platform for OMCs to share information about their developments with The Housing Agency. The Housing Agency have also included resource links on its website. I strongly encourage OMCs to indicate their potential interest in the future remediation scheme by inputting information on their developments on the portal. It should be noted that this portal, which is subject to conditions of use, is not a formal registration mechanism for the future remediation scheme.
My Department is working closely with the Housing Agency and key stakeholders to facilitate the provision of funding for interim fire safety measures on an administrative basis. I expect to be in a position to announce more details of this in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, work is advancing on drafting the required legislation, which will include the scope, eligibility and conditions of the remediation scheme. While I am working on the development of the scheme as a matter of priority, sufficient time is required to draft the legislation to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for tax payer’s money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures. It is expected the draft legislation will be published in 2024. It is intended that subject to the legislative process, the statutory scheme will be in place shortly thereafter.
