Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021
77. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a reformed 100% redress scheme for homes affected by defective blocks with mica and pyrite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55223/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra87. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to implement the motion passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann on 15 June 2021, calling on the Government to deliver 100% redress for the families that have been devastated by mica and pyrite in the concrete blocks in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54431/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 87 together.
In response to concerns expressed by homeowners and a unanimous Dáil motion on the issue of Defective Concrete Blocks, culminating in the June protest march, I established a time bound working group to consider the issues being raised. The first meeting of the group was held on Wednesday 30 June 2021, with the terms of reference agreed. In total 8 meetings took place over the lifetime of the group and numerous breakout sessions were also facilitated.
At the request of the homeowner representatives it was agreed to extend the timeframe of the working group from the end of July to the end of September. Throughout August my Department facilitated the Homeowners intensive engagement with the Housing Agency to discuss the issues involved in greater detail.
The last meeting of the working group took place on Wednesday, 29 September, which allowed homeowner’s representatives to present their final position paper and I was in attendance. I received the Report of the Working Group on Defective Concrete Blocks in early October and have engaged in consultations with Government colleagues.
I intend, in the immediate term, bringing a memorandum to Government which will set out proposals for improvements to the existing scheme, it’s future administration and various other matters raised in the Report of the Working Group.
