Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2023
174. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if houses that have outer leaf repairs carried out under the Mica redress scheme will qualify for SEAI home energy efficiency schemes grants, if it is the case they are prohibited from applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11029/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 to significantly enhance the 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, 2022. The Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022. The Act provides “for the payment of grants for the remediation of certain dwellings damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks in their construction”.
The FAQ on the Enhanced Grant scheme published in October 2022 states that “Work is underway with SEAI to ensure as seamless as possible entry for DCB homeowners to existing SEAI grant schemes.”
In this regard, officials from my Department are working with the SEAI, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and local authorities to ensure that DCB Scheme homeowners can also access SEAI supports in a streamlined and seamless manner.
It is anticipated that proposals resulting from this process will be finalised shortly.
