Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2019
517. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the implementation of the mica redress scheme in County Donegal; the way in which he plans to address the confusion and uncertainty in relation to the implementation of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48999/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast 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 Attorney General's Office and 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, including the communication of 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.
