Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 April 2025
1147. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will bring forward an amendment to the Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022, allowing the increase in the cap to be applied retrospectively to homeowners already participating in the defective concrete block grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18530/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1210. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19309/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1293. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether persons who commenced their rebuild prior to the introduction of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme on 23 October 2024 will be eligible to receive the increased amount of redress; what they need to do to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20120/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1147, 1210 and 1293 together.
The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the current grant scheme and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
Following updated cost reports from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and advice from the Expert Group established to consider the matter, a further increase was provided for on 23 October 2024. The Scheme Cap has risen by 10% to €462,000. An increase in the scheme grant rates of between 7.4% and 8.7% that are set out in the 2023 Regulations was also approved on 7 November 2024.
The Act provides that any increase in the scheme cap or grant rates will apply to eligible relevant owners that are yet to receive a determination in respect of remediation option and grant amount. My Department sought legal advice that confirmed that extending these increases to a wider group of relevant owners requires amending the Act.
The Summer 2025 Government Legislation Programme (published 29 April 2025) has included the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill for priority drafting. This Bill will contain details of the wider group of relevant owners that can avail of the increase in the grant scheme cap and rates and will be progressed as quickly as possible.
