Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
1115. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice to provide a detailed response outlining the schedule of meetings and proposed work of the housing and justice interdepartmental group to consider further regulatory measures for owner management companies in the context of the interim remediation scheme for fire safety defects and the proposed statutory remediation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34747/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1116. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice when she will commence the agreed programme for Government commitment to review of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34748/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1115 and 1116 together.
The Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 was enacted with the primary purpose of reforming the law relating to the ownership and management of common areas of multi-unit developments (MUDs) and facilitating the fair, efficient and effective management of owner management companies (OMCs).
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to conduct a review of the MUDs Act, to ensure that it is fit for purpose and that it acts in the best interests of residents. Housing for All, the national housing strategy, also provides for regulations to be made under the MUDs Act relating to the management of annual service charges by OMCs; and expenditure incurred of a non-recurring nature by OMCs (i.e. ‘sinking fund’ expenditure).
The work of my Department in relation to the MUDs Act is guided by that of the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in view of its central role in this area. My Department therefore continues to engage constructively with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to both the review and drafting of Regulations under the MUDs Act.
In June this year, I also agreed with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, to establish an interdepartmental group to consider what further regulatory measures may be required for OMCs in the context of the remediation scheme for apartments and duplexes with fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The group held its first meeting in July and are due to hold its second meeting in September.
