Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
301. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the emergency funding scheme for fire safety works and other remediation works will be implemented; when the legislation underpinning the scheme will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53259/23]
View answer315. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm if funding for interim fire safety works will be provided to homeowners or OMCs impacted by building defects before 31 January 2023. [53451/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 315 together.
I fully acknowledge the difficulties that homeowners and residents of many apartments and duplexes are facing, and the stress that is caused when defects arise in relation to their buildings. The Government is committed to helping those whose lives have been impacted by this issue.
Since the receipt of Government approval in January of this year, I have been working hard to progress the various programmes of work that are required to place the apartment remediation scheme on a statutory footing. Bespoke legislation is needed to underpin the remediation scheme, the cost of which is estimated at more than €2 billion. The Government are entirely focused on establishing a scheme that is fit for purpose and works for the people impacted. I expect that the draft legislation will be published in 2024 and that, subject to the legislative process, the statutory scheme will be in place shortly thereafter.
I recognise that there may be some apartment developments that will need to carry out certain fire safety works as a matter of urgency. 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. Further details of this scheme will be published shortly.
