Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
769. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the enhanced defective concrete block scheme covers the cost if a property is damaged during the demolition of a neighbouring semi-detached or terraced property offered a different option of remediation grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33775/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra770. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a semi-detached property owner in County Donegal (details supplied) was offered option 1 of the enhanced defective block scheme, while the owner of the attached property received full demolition approval; if damages to their property during the demolition of the attached property are covered by the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33780/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 769 and 770 together.
I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 ('the 2022 Act') on 22 June 2023, which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The Housing Agency acts as agent on behalf of the local authorities under the Enhanced Grant Scheme. Once a home has met the damage threshold for entry to the scheme, the Housing Agency engage its Framework Chartered Engineers to undertake the assessment, survey, sampling, testing and categorisation of the dwelling thereafter on a priority basis in accordance with the national standard I.S. 465:2018 and thereafter determine the appropriate remediation option and grant amount in accordance with the provision of the Act.
In undertaking this work of assessing dwellings, a practical approach is taken where the Housing Agency prioritises dwellings on relative severity and impact of damage and proximity of dwellings to other affected properties.
Owners of dwellings that are conjoined may, at their own discretion, consider hiring the same building professionals as well as commencing works on conjoined properties at the same time, if approved for grant assistance for their dwellings.
The homeowner must engage a Competent Building Professional (CBP) to design the remediation works approved or being carried out and prepare a remedial works plan. The homeowner is required to retain the services of their CBP throughout the project and they will inspect the works as they progress, prepare interim valuation certificates to allow for stage payment requests to be lodged with the relevant local authority and sign off on the Certificate of Remediation on completion of the remediation works. Ultimately, as is the case with any building works being undertaken (and not just those under the DCB Scheme) it is a matter for each homeowner in conjunction with their CBP and Contractor to ensure that while works are undertaken, that these works do not damage adjoining properties.
