Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2016
132. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of applications received and accepted and number of homes remediated by the pyrite remediation board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16430/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provided for the making and implementation of a pyrite remediation scheme by the Pyrite Resolution Board for certain dwellings affected by significant pyritic damage. The scheme, which was first published by the Pyrite Resolution Board in early February 2014, was developed having regard to the relevant provisions of the Act and, inter alia, the recommendations set out in the Report of the Pyrite Panel (June 2012). The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme itself which is available on the Board’s website at www.pyriteboard.ie.
An allocation of €19 million was provided in Budget 2016 to meet activity under the scheme this year. The post-2016 funding requirement will be considered in the context of the 2017 Estimates later this year, having regard to developments over the next few months.
The latest figures available to me indicate that approximately 1,187 applications have been received under the pyrite remediation scheme of which 913 have been approved for inclusion and the applicants notified accordingly. A further 56 applications have been validated and referred to the Housing Agency for the assessment and verification process while another 168 applications are at the initial application and validation stage - 50 applications did not meet the criteria for the scheme.
Of the 913 dwellings that have been included in the pyrite remediation scheme the position is as follows:
- 388 are at remedial works planning stage;
- 66 are at tender / tender analysis;
- 169 are under remediation; and
- 290 are complete.
It is anticipated that approximately 600 dwellings will be remediated by end 201 6. Ultimately, the Board, together with the Housing Agency, will arrange for all eligible dwellings to be remediated to a high standard and at no additional cost to the affected homeowners. Remediation works will continue to be carried out at the earliest possible opportunity having regard to the existing demands of the scheme and the optimum use of available resources.
