Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 June 2025
317. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if individuals who accessed the defective concrete blocks scheme prior to 29 March 2024 will be eligible for any additional payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33294/25]
View answerThe 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, i.e. those who had already received a determination but were experiencing increased constructions costs during their ongoing remediation works, required amending the Act.
I can confirm I received Government approval (on 4 June, 2025) for the priority drafting of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill which includes details of the wider group of relevant owners that can avail of increases in the grant scheme cap and rates approved in October and November 2024.
This legislation will be prioritised and progressed as expeditiously as possible, however, it should be noted that amending the Act is a matter for the Oireachtas.
