Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
399. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will be initiating the six-month review of the Defective Concrete Block Scheme, which was promised and committed to almost one year ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16506/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023, which contains the Enhanced Grant Scheme (Scheme) and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The Scheme was legislated for following extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
At the time of the Scheme launch, I established an Implementation Steering Group comprised of officials from the relevant local authorities, my Department, The Housing Agency, and the Homeowner's Liaison Officer (HLO). Part of the Group’s remit was to produce a six-month report. It should be noted that this report is not a review of the fundamental terms and conditions of the Scheme as set down in the 2022 Act, rather it is a report on the how the Scheme is progressing since it launched in 2023.
I recently received this report on the operation of the Scheme covering the period July to December 2023 i.e. the first six months of the Scheme and I am satisfied with the progress being made. The Group made a small number of recommendations based on its assessment of the first six months of the Scheme’s operation and these are receiving appropriate attention.
