Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2026
1148. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of dwellings currently awaiting a technical review of remediation options under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; the average length of time such reviews have been outstanding; whether a formal technical review protocol has been established; who is responsible for conducting such reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43975/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1149. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will publish the criteria, methodology and decision-making framework used in technical reviews of remediation options under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; whether homeowners are entitled to review and respond to technical assessments used in such reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43976/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1150. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when guidance will be issued to local authorities or technical reviewers regarding the assessment of foundation retention under I.S. 465:2026; whether a consistent national approach will apply to such determinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43977/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1152. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the composition of any technical review panel or group involved in determining remediation options under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; the professional qualifications represented on such panels; whether independent experts are included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43979/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1157. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether remediation recommendations, technical reviews and appeals that remain undetermined at the date of publication of I.S. 465:2026 will be assessed under the provisions of I.S. 465:2026 or under the version of the standard that applied when the application was originally submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43984/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1148, 1149, 1150, 1152 and 1157 together.
The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 as amended by the Act of 2025 underpins the Grant Scheme which provides grant funding to people whose homes have been affected by Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB).
A number of amendments contained in the 2025 Act came into operation on 25 February 2026 and more recently further provisions commenced on 27 May 2026.
The National Standards Authority Ireland (NSAI) have recently (2 June 2026) published a revised standard, I.S. 465:2026.
Recent figures provided to my Department by the Housing Agency (5 June 2026) outlined that 98 applicants have opted to wait for a technical review of their application by the Housing Agency against the revised standard; IS 465:2026 with an average wait time of 323 days.
As per section 51 of the 2022 DCB Act, I now intend to launch a review of the operation of the Act as quickly as possible. The 2022 Act mandates that not later than 3 months after completion of this review that I, as Minister, shall make a report to each House of the Oireachtas of my findings and conclusions resulting from that review.
Matters relating to the technical review including its composition, a technical review protocol, decision making framework, foundations and appeals can be considered as part of the review.
