Defective Building Materials

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022

Thursday, 8 September 2022

Ceisteanna (562, 566, 641, 648, 650)

John Lahart

Ceist:

562. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions he intends to take following the building defects report furnished to Government in recent weeks, specifically in terms of providing moneys in budget 2023 to cover the cost of remediation works that cannot wait; and if he agrees that homeowners with building defects ought to be treated equally to those whose homes were constructed using mica and pyrite-contaminated building materials. [42743/22]

Niall Collins

Ceist:

566. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update and advice in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42777/22]

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

641. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the report of the working group on defective buildings; the steps that he intends to take to provide redress for homeowners affected by the defects dealt with in this report. [43638/22]

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

648. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports available to private apartment owners who are now faced with significant bills to comply with fire regulations and to make their homes safe; if it is his intention to offer grant support to such households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43752/22]

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

650. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports that he intends to provide for owners of defective apartments; if he will support a redress scheme similar to the mica and pyrite schemes for those homeowners; if owners of defective apartments built prior to the 1990s and 2000s will be included in any future support schemes or tax treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43835/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 562, 566, 641, 648 and 650 together.

I received the report of the working group I established to examine defects in housing at the end of July.  The group’s terms of reference were focused on fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013 and the report is available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/97c19-working-group-to-examine-defects-in-housing/

The level of consultation and engagement that the Working Group undertook with stakeholders and interested parties both here and abroad was extensive.  As a result, the report is rich in data regarding the nature and scale of defects as well as the cost of addressing defects.  The Working Group’s recommendations along with the evidence gathered and options for potential supports contained in the report will be of considerable assistance in informing next steps.  My Department is currently giving the report full consideration and I will, in consultation with Government colleagues, develop a plan to address the situation that many homeowners find themselves in through no fault of their own.