I propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 525 together.
The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 as amended by the Act of 2025 underpins the Grant Scheme which provides grant funding to people whose homes have been affected by Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB).
A number of amendments came into operation on 25 February 2026, with the related Regulations also adopted on 25 February 2026. These changes allow for certain DCB grant scheme applicants to apply and seek payment for an increased remediation option, doubles the time for homeowners to complete works and reduces the time in which an applicant is obliged to apply for an extension.
The manner in which the Scheme works with regard to staged payments and the rules regarding the final payment have not changed and remain as they have been since the DCB Act was enacted in 2022. Under the terms of the scheme, a homeowner is required to retain the services of their competent building professional throughout the project and they will inspect the works as they progress. When a remedial works plan is produced by the homeowner’s competent building professional, then the homeowner will engage a building contractor and can also request stage payments from the local authority as part of phased building works. The amount payable under stage payments is capped at 90% of the total cost of the remediation option grant on a cumulative basis with 10% of the overall grant retained for the final payment following the designated local authority’s approval of the Certificate of Remediation. It should be noted 10% is not deducted from earlier stage payments.
I am aware of funding challenges that certain homeowners may face. This issue was previously examined and discussed at an Implementation Steering Group on DCB established to keep the operation of the scheme under continuous review. Following this my Department in conjunction with local authorities as administrators of the Scheme, made changes to Scheme’s administrative guidance to allow the earlier release of funds to assist impacted homeowners.
The SEAI Grant Scheme under the aegis of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment announced bespoke arrangements for DCB affected homeowners in 2024 to address barriers to accessing the grants and ensure that the schemes operate in a streamlined way.
In 2026 a full review of the DCB scheme will be undertaken as per the provisions of the 2022 Act and any further changes can be considered as part of that review.
