Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2023
100. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if persons who paid for remediation works in respect of pyrite damage can access the fund established for retrospective outlays; and if persons who could not access the original pyrite schemes are eligible to access the new fund. [3682/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency.
The provisions of the Act apply only to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave consequent on the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material and not to damage arising in any other circumstance, e.g. such as pyrite in concrete blocks.
The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.
There is no provision in the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 to allow for retrospective applications.
Separately, last week, Government approved the drafting legislation to support the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. This legislation will provide a statutory basis for the establishment of a new remediation scheme aimed at protecting the safety and welfare of those living in apartments or duplexes.
In this context, Government has also approved the principle of allowing remediation costs already incurred or levied to be covered under this scheme once such costs fall within the scope and defined parameters of the new remediation scheme for apartments and duplexes. The details and mechanics of this will be worked out as the legislation is drafted and the decision does not relate to other schemes.
