Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2023
300. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the continued pursuit of homeowners affected by apartment defects for payment of levies by management companies (details supplied); if he will expedite the rollout of 100% redress; if he will provide a timeline and details of the redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8370/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra301. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to reports that owners of defective apartments and duplexes continue to be unable to sell their properties due to the delay and lack of detail on the scheme; if he will expedite the rollout of 100% redress; if he will provide a timeline and details of the redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8371/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together.
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. The Government is committed to helping those whose lives have been impacted by this issue.
In this regard, on 18 January 2023 I received Government approval to draft legislation to establish supports for 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 remediation scheme aimed at protecting the safety and welfare of those living in apartments or duplexes with such defects.
It is intended that a whole building approach will be taken to remediate relevant defects and to improve the safety of all occupants in the building. This means that all parts of the building (e.g. the common areas, the individual apartments etc.) must be considered together when addressing defects. In light of their existing legal responsibilities and ownership of common areas, it is envisaged that Owners’ Management Companies will be funded to carry out the necessary remediation works, with specific limitations or exemptions on certain commercial owners.
In order to ensure that important life-safety works are not paused, remediation works related to fire safety defects, entered into or commenced from 18 January 2023, will form part of the remediation scheme, subject to terms and conditions. Such works will need to be agreed with local authority Fire Services. The details of this process will be worked out. In this regard, it would not be appropriate for those in charge of affected buildings to delay the undertaking of any remediation work that is considered necessary from a life safety point of view.
I have listened to calls from homeowner representative bodies and Government has 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 scheme. The details and mechanics of this will be worked out as the legislation is drafted.
Work is now underway to draft the required legislation which will include the scope, eligibility and conditions of the remediation scheme which will become operational following implementation of the required legislation. Subject to the legislative process, it is intended that a scheme would be in place in 2024.
