Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
337. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline what the 2024 budget is for assisting families availing of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme; if he is satisfied that this amount will be sufficient to cover the costs of all those who wish to avail of the scheme. [45233/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 which contains the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme commenced on 22 June 2023 and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
The scheme is a major commitment by the State to help impacted homeowners to move on with their lives through a new remediation scheme. It is estimated that it will have an overall cost of approximately €2.2 billion (not including inflation) Budget 2024 provides funding of €70 million for the remediation of homes affected by building defects including DCB. This money will fund the operation of the Enhanced Scheme and support homeowners with dwellings damaged by the use of defective blocks during 2024. This allocation is based on an an analysis carried out by my Department and informed by regular engagement with local authority teams who operate and administer the scheme. In accordance with best practice, funding requirements are kept under continuous review but I expect that the amount allocated will be sufficient to adequately fund the Scheme next year.
