Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
639. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the regulations for the defective block remediation scheme including a list of all regulations currently being drafted; and the estimated date for the completion of those regulations. [43636/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President.
The purpose of this Act is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
Work on drafting the regulations is being undertaken by my officials and will apply in respect of all matters within the Act which are to be or may be prescribed by the Minister e.g. the damage threshold, the grant rates and the form and content of various reports, certificates, forms, declarations etc. Guidelines to facilitate, promote and support a consistent approach to the operation and administration of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme will also be drafted by my Department. I intend that the regulations and guidelines be finalised before the end of the year but ensuring they are comprehensive and that they will work for everyone is the main priority.
Pending the opening of the new scheme, applications can continue to be made to local authorities and processed under the current Defective Concrete Block grant scheme, underpinned by the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations, 2020 and the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.
