Mr. John O'Connor:

In regard to the quarries that are still operating, that issue is, as stated earlier by Mr. Carroll, beyond our remit. On the number of applications received, we have in no way hidden the scheme. Our website contains information about it and has received a great deal of publicity over the past 12 months. As I said, some 632 applications have been received to date. While the intake of applications was initially quite heavy it dried up fairly quickly. We are currently receiving approximately three applications per week, which is only a trickle. We were a little surprised that the level of applications dried up so quickly but at the end of the day we can only deal with people who have made applications to us. I can understand that there may be reasons people do not want to apply and so on. We would encourage people whose homes have been damaged by pyrite to make an application under the scheme. Our website contains an informative document, which includes photographs of the effects of pyrite, to help people to make an intelligent assessment as to whether their homes are pyrite affected. The Deputy might when dealing with people refer them to this document which will assist them in making an intelligent call as to whether their homes contain and have been damaged by pyrite. To qualify, a house must contain pyrite and also have been damaged by it. Also, there is no time limit for applications. In terms of practicality and economic management of projects we would prefer that all affected houses in a particular area would apply around the same time so that we can draw up rationally economically designed projects in terms of remediation.

The legislation does not allow us to include council owned houses. As I understand it, if a council house is affected the tenant can seek to have the council repair it. Clearly, the responsibility to repair the property lies not with the tenant but the council. It is the council's responsibility to ensure its tenants are living in habitable homes.

Approved housing bodies and housing associations may apply if they own houses that are rented; it is open to them to apply.