Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 June 2025
272. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1314 of 29 April 2025, when letters of assurance will issue to homeowners that have had their homes remediation under the scheme; the number of letters of assurance issued and the number of homeowners awaiting a letter of assurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35145/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the current grant scheme and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
The Act provides for a letter of assurance which attaches to a dwelling and confers an entitlement to apply for a second grant under the scheme in respect of that dwelling, in specific circumstances and where the remediation works are completed.
This second grant option, for options 2 to 5 will be available where original blockwork retained in the dwelling after the first remediation subsequently proves defective in accordance with the IS465:2018 protocol.
Section 21 of the Act mandates a designated local authority to issue a letter of assurance to a relevant owner following receipt by the designated local authority of a post works remediation plan and a certificate of remediation under section 18.
At time of writing, three letters of assurance have issued from Mayo County Council. I understand that Donegal County Council have yet to issue any letters of assurance.
My Department has recently engaged again with officials in Donegal County Council and have requested as a matter of urgency, confirmation as to when letters will issue and why they have been delayed and not issued per the provisions of the Act.
