Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 December 2022
39. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a matter raised by a person (details supplied) with regard to a fit-for-purpose apartment remediation support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61240/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government sets out a commitment to examine defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing’s report Safe as Houses?, and to assist owners of latent defect properties by identifying options for those impacted by defects, to access low-cost, long-term finance. In response, in February 2021, I established a Working Group to examine the matter.
I received the comprehensive report of the Working Group on 28 July titled Defects in Apartments - Report of the Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing, and I published it straight away. I fully acknowledge the difficulties that homeowners and residents of many apartments and duplexes are facing, and the stress that is caused when defects arise in relation to their buildings.
In that context, on 27 September, I brought a Memorandum to Government to inform Government of the content of the report and of the next steps that I will be taking. I am currently, in consultation with Government colleagues, in the process of developing options with a view to providing support to homeowners who find themselves in a difficult financial situation through no fault of their own.
In this regard, I have established an inter–departmental/agency group with a view to bringing forward specific proposals to Government by the end of the year. In addition, an advisory group has been established to develop a Code of Practice in the context of the Fire Services Acts, to provide guidance to building professionals and local authority building control / fire services, including guidance on interim safety measures. This advisory group is due to have its inaugural meeting later this month.
I have also written to opposition leaders requesting their input on how best to address the issues identified in the Report.
As this work progresses, I am committed to continuing to liaise with key stakeholders such as homeowner representatives and the insurance sector. My Department is also engaging with the Housing Agency for the provision of advice in relation to implementation of the recommendations of the Report.
