Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
583. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration is being given to extending the enhanced defective concrete block scheme to Northern Ireland or exploring a cross-Border approach; if discussions are being held with counterparts in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2383/25]
View answerThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) was commenced on 22 June 2023 The Act contains the enhanced grant scheme and related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
The grant scheme applies to the owners of dwellings located in counties Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Mayo and Sligo, which dwellings are damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks containing excessive amounts of mica or pyrite or such other deleterious materials or combination of deleterious materials as may be prescribed.
Under section 9(3) of the Act, provided a person uses a relevant dwelling as their principal private residence or was the landlord of an RTB registered property as at 1st of November 2021, then that property is eligible for entry to the scheme provided all other conditions are met.
While there is provision within the Act to extend the scheme to other local authorities there is no provision to extend beyond this to other jurisdictions. My Department has had contact with officials in Northern Ireland confirming this position.
