I propose to take Questions Nos. 626 and 683 together.
Government approval was received on 18 September 2024 for the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill. The purpose of this legislation is to place the defects remediation Scheme on a statutory footing, further to commitments contained in the Programme for Government and Housing for All.
The Scheme will provide supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. It is envisaged that 100% of eligible remediation costs will be funded.
The General Scheme of the Bill completed pre-legislative scrutiny in December 2025 and I expect the legislation to be placed before the Oireachtas this year.
Remediation costs already incurred or levied prior to the introduction of the Scheme will be covered once such costs fall within the scope and defined parameters of the Scheme.
The Scheme will be managed by the Housing Agency and will require an application to be made by apartment Owner Management Companies on behalf of residents. It would not be appropriate for myself, as Minister, to comment on individual cases.