Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2025
502. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the ongoing delay in processing appeals under the enhanced defective concrete block scheme; the current status of appeals; the definitive timeline for issuing decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33837/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra511. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of an appeal by persons (details supplied) under the enhanced defective concrete block scheme to be judged on its own merits under section 39 of the Act Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33879/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra527. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason homeowners that have appealed the remediation options provided to them under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme are waiting inordinate lengths of time for those appeals to be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34009/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra550. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of defective concrete block appeals he has received from Donegal; the number processed to date; the number of appeals that have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34445/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 502, 511, 527 and 550 together.
The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) was commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The Appeals Panel has been established to assess appeals made under the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete (DCB) Blocks Grant Scheme. The Panel offers those affected by decisions made by the Housing Agency and Local Authorities an opportunity to have their cases assessed by an independent group of industry experts.
The points of appeal that are available to a DCB applicant include the validation stage by the local authority, the damage threshold determination made by the Housing Agency, the remediation option, and the grant amount approved and where a local authority refuse to make a grant payment pursuant to grant approval.
The Panel will review the merits of each individual case and consider all details free from any undue influence or restrictions.
At the time of writing 169 appeals have been received from homeowners. A breakdown showing appeals received from relevant owners, by designated local authority, is available in the table below:
|
Designated Local Authority |
Appeals Received |
|
Donegal |
139 |
|
Mayo |
4 |
|
Clare |
15 |
|
Limerick |
11 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
|
Total |
169 |
It should be noted that the Appeals Panel is statutorily independent in the performance of their functions of myself as Minister, my Department and of the Housing Agency. My Department provides limited administrative support during the initial stage of the process, in that appeals submitted by homeowners are forwarded to the Panel. It would therefore not be appropriate for me to comment on any individual case currently under appeal. Timelines for the processing of appeals would be a matter for the Chair and the Panel.
However, I understand that the Panel has begun the process of assessing appeals and it is expected the Chair of the Appeals Panel will issue notifications to appellants in due course.
