Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
355. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a scheme (details supplied); and when he expects it to be open for applicants with water ingress issues to be repaired. [17476/24]
View answerMy Department is currently, as a matter of priority, preparing legislation to put in place a statutory remediation scheme for owners of certain apartments affected by fire safety, water ingress and structural defects. This legislation will establish supports for the remediation of these defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. Given the complexity of the issues, including the significant amount of Exchequer funding that this Government has committed to assist affected homeowners, sufficient time is required to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for tax payers' money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures. It is expected the draft legislation will be published in 2024 and that, subject to the legislative process, the statutory scheme will be in place shortly thereafter.
Pending the introduction of the statutory scheme, an Interim Remediation Scheme (Scheme) has been established to provide for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in order to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in buildings until full remedial works can be completed. This Scheme, which is being administered by The Housing Agency on a nationwide basis, is open to applications from apartment Owner Management Companies (OMCs) via The Housing Agency’s website, and can be accessed at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/interim-remediation-scheme-fire-safety-defects-eligible-apartments-and-duplexes-2023
Full remedial works will include those related to water ingress and structural damage, as well all necessary fire safety measures, and will be funded under the forthcoming statutory scheme outlined above.
