Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
325. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of the €65 million allocated for defects in budget 2023 that has been spent to date with a breakdown on how much was spent on pyrite remediation, defective block and any other category, in tabular form. [46201/23]
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. 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. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” for affected homeowners who have no other practical option to obtain redress and is limited in its application and scope.
The 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 enhanced scheme provides very considerable enhancements over the old Scheme for eligible homeowners.
There is a time lag between grant approval and the draw down of funding for the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme and not all homeowners will start work immediately after receipt of approval. In addition, depending upon the remediation option being carried out, the works themselves can take anywhere between 2 and 15 months which can affect the value of funding drawn down in any particular year.
The table below sets out the funding drawn down by the Pyrite Remediation Scheme and Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.
|
Scheme |
Drawn to date in 2023 |
|
Pyrite Remediation Scheme |
€17.5 million |
|
Defective Concrete Blocks |
€12.3 million |
