Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2024
48. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance for an update on his engagement with the Banking and Payments Federation and his Department with respect to the defective concrete blocks redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45420/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the overall Government response relating to the defective concrete blocks grant scheme is led by my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage who has put in place a scheme of financial support to help affected homeowners.
As part of this engagement, I am aware that the Minister for Housing has established an Implementation Steering Group to work through administrative issues around the scheme as they arise and make recommendations if further changes to the regulations or guidelines of the scheme are needed.
In order to explore certain financial issues facing homeowners, the Department of Housing established a subgroup of the Implementation Group, which is chaired by that Department and attended by officials from the Department of Finance and the BPFI, as well as officials from Local Authorities, the Housing Agency, the Homeowners’ Liaison Officer and affected homeowners.
My Department maintains contact with the BPFI on an on-going basis across a range of issues. At an official level, there is also ongoing engagement on a range of matters, as required, between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Finance.
The Government fully understands the importance of this issue in the communities affected by defective concrete blocks and I will continue to work with my Government colleagues, as necessary, to ensure that the Scheme operates effectively and consistently for all affected homeowners who access it.
