Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2023
167. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will include the redress focus groups on the implementation steering group to access the financial needs of defective block households in Donegal and around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45974/23]
View answerAs you are aware the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 which contains the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme commenced on 22 June 2023 and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023. The enhanced scheme provides very considerable enhancements over the old Scheme for eligible homeowners.
I established the Implementation Steering Group to work through administrative issues around the DCB scheme as they arise and make recommendations if further changes to the regulations or guidelines on the Scheme are needed. The Group comprises the relevant local authorities, my Department, the Housing Agency, and the Homeowner's Liaison Officer. It has met in August, September, October and November with the next meeting scheduled for the end of the month. This Group will report directly to me and will prepare a report on the first six months of operation of the scheme.
There are no plans, at this point, to extend the group beyond the current makeup. I am satisfied that the various channels of engagement that are currently operating ensure that the views of all relevant stakeholders can, and are being heard. In particular the concerns of the homeowners come to my Department through Mr. John O'Connor the Homeowner Liaision Officer. My Department remains fully committed to continuing to engage with a broad array of stakeholders through existing fora to assist it in determining the best option to provide a mechanism for dealing with DCB related issues that arise.
