Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2026
1153. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the length of time between the triggering of the three-month review of the defective concrete blocks scheme and the expected completion; the longest period recorded to date in similar circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43980/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1154. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether applicants whose remediation options have not yet been finalised will be assessed in accordance with I.S. 465:2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43981/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1155. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether training or guidance has been provided to local authority staff, chartered engineers and technical reviewers in relation to the implementation of I.S. 465:2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43982/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1156. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has prepared estimates of the impact of I.S. 465:2026 on future remediation costs under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43983/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1153, 1154, 1155 and 1156 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 NSAI have recently (2 June 2026) published a revised standard, I.S. 465:2026, and, as per the 2022 DCB Act, I now intend to launch a review of the operation of the 2022 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.
While the review is underway my Department will issue further guidance on managing existing applications under the scheme in the coming weeks.
Matters relating to training, implementing technical reviews and costs relating to remediation works can be considered as part of the review.
