I thank the Deputy for raising this issue but he should acknowledge that the Government has fundamentally overhauled the defective blocks scheme. The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 provides for 100% grant funding for eligible homeowners. It commenced on 22 June 2023 and regulations were adopted on 29 June this year. That enhanced scheme is now open for applications. It will provide financial support to affected homeowners in counties Donegal, Mayo, Limerick and Clare whose dwellings have been damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks.

Grants of up to €420,000 are available to affected homeowners, depending on the works required, under the scheme. Transitional arrangements for the transfer of applicants from the current scheme to the new enhanced scheme are in place. The final regulations were the result of extended and extensive consultation with key stakeholders, particularly local authorities and homeowner action groups. The enhanced scheme also provides an evidence-based system for new counties, or parts of counties, to be designated as required following a technical assessment by the Housing Agency. The new scheme is a remediation grant scheme of last resort put in place by the Government in order to voluntarily assist homeowners to remediate damage caused by the use of defective concrete blocks. There is no question about it and the Deputy knows the details of it. I find some of the language he used in dismissing the scheme difficult, especially when we are looking at a €2.3 billion commitment and provision for it.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has set up an implementation steering group for the scheme comprising officials from relevant local authorities, the Department, the Housing Agency and the homeowners' liaison officer. In respect of the financial issue, again, the Department has had a number of engagements with the BPFI on specific issues raised by defective concrete block homeowners to see what can be done to address their concerns. The Department has received an interim funding proposal from the BPFI. Officials from the Department met on Thursday, 28 September to review and discuss with BPFI officials the proposals for a low-interest loan. Given its role in this area, the Department of Finance is currently engaging directly with the BPFI on the proposal. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has stressed the need for a fair and consistent approach to be taken by the banking sector with customers dealing with the effects of defective concrete blocks on their houses.

Approximately 1,644 applications were received under the old scheme and 60 under the enhanced scheme up to 31 August this year. Some 340 of these applications were referred to the Housing Agency. These comprised 323 from County Donegal relating to the old scheme, nine from County Mayo with two relating to the enhanced scheme, and eight from County Clare. The total amount paid out so far to local authorities is about €24 million, which includes approximately €2.6 million related to administrative fees.

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