Last year, the Government agreed in principle to introduce a scheme to support affected homeowners in the counties of Donegal and Mayo to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been significantly damaged due to defective concrete blocks.
Budget 2020 provides funding of €40 million to fund the operation of the pyrite remediation scheme and this new scheme to address the issues identified in Donegal and Mayo.
Funding for future years will be agreed on an annual basis as part of the normal Estimates process and additional funding can be provided should it be required.
The full terms and conditions of the scheme are currently being finalised in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, including the development of the necessary regulations.
This process takes account of the engagement that my Department is currently having with both Donegal and Mayo County Councils, who will operate and administer the scheme.
In this regard, my Department continues to meet with both local authority teams to conclude implementation arrangements for the scheme. Further engagement will take place over the coming weeks.
The aim will be to complete the outstanding work without delay in order to ensure that the scheme can get underway as early as possible.
Separately, the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme was first adopted in February 2014.
The provisions of the Act apply only to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave consequent on the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material and not to damage arising in any other circumstance, e.g. such as pyrite in concrete blocks.
The Pyrite Remediation Scheme is a scheme of “last resort” for affected homeowners who have no other practical option to obtain redress and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.
The latest figures available indicate that 2,504 applications have been received under the pyrite remediation scheme. Of these, 2,022 dwellings have been included in the scheme and the applicants notified accordingly. A further 114 applications have been validated and referred to the Housing Agency for the Assessment and Verification Process, while another 199 applications are at the initial Application and Validation Process. 169 applications under the scheme were not successful.
Of the 2,022 dwellings that have been included in the pyrite remediation scheme:
58 are at remedial works planning stage,
13 are at tender / tender analysis,
219 are under remediation, and
1,732 are complete.
Funding provided to my Department under Budget 2020 will support 300 affected homeowners with dwellings that have been significantly damaged due to pyrite problems under the Pyrite Remediation Scheme next year.
In regard to Limerick, my Department understands that the Pyrite Resolution Board is aware of pyrite in the hardcore in a number of dwellings in Limerick and is in the process of making a proposal to include Limerick City and County Council area in the Pyrite Remediation Scheme.
Any amendments which the Board consider are required to the scheme will be given full consideration should they be submitted to me in accordance with the requirements of the Act.
