The Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme offers funding for rebuilding or remediation to the current standard of the home. The terms of the scheme, as legislated for, provide for costs based on works completed in compliance with the requirements of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 1997 (S.I No.497 of 1997). The scheme allows for like-for-like replacement and does not allow for betterment.
Under the private scheme, DCB homeowners may also avail of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) retrofit grants. Work between the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication (DECC) and the SEAI to develop a bespoke scheme for DCB homeowners is ongoing. Homeowners may carry out such additional upgrades under the scheme but the marginal cost of such works must be paid for by the homeowner, in the same way as non-defective concrete block affected homeowners must pay for upgrades to their homes.
A draft DCB scheme for homes affected by Defective Concrete Blocks is currently with the relevant local authorities for comment. The scheme will include grant rates and caps as outlined in the private scheme for homeowners. The scheme will apply to local authority and AHB homes located within designated local authority areas. The rates and overall funding available under this scheme will be precisely the same as under the current private scheme.
It is a matter for each local authority if they wish to remediate their own housing stock above the level provided for under the DCB Grant Scheme. While funding for such work will not be provided by my Department under the DCB Grant Scheme, local authorities and AHBs will not be precluded from applying for other grants to carry out works on their housing stock approved under the DCB Social Homes Scheme, such as the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP), etc. In order to promote efficiencies local authorities are encouraged where possible to undertake works approved under other Department schemes in tandem with DCB remediation works where the rules of each scheme can be satisfied.
