Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The cost of testing will be covered by the pyrite remediation board. I acknowledge that the Deputy was referring to a test that may already have been carried out, but if the test conforms with the conditions set down by the board, I am sure common sense will prevail. I am sure the chairman of the board would be satisfied that further expense would not be required. Costs in relation to testing are covered and, needless to say, the board will be frugal in deploying its funds. If the tests to which the Deputy referred are sufficient to prove that pyrite is present I am sure they will be taken into account.

Section 4 provides for the critical definition of "significant pyritic damage". The house must have suffered damage before it can be considered. In respect of a dwelling, significant pyritic damage means a damage condition rating of 1, with progression - if pyrite is evident it will progress quite quickly - or a damage condition rating of 2 established on foot of a building condition assessment carried out by a competent person in accordance with Irish Standard 398-1:2013. If a competent person believes after carrying out an assessment that pyrite is present, he or she will proceed to administer more expensive tests. All of those costs are covered. Significant pyritic damage also means hardcore classified by a competent person under Standard 398-1:2013 as susceptible to significant or limited expansion.

Those are the conditions attached with regard to what constitutes and is defined as "significant pyritic damage", which must be evident before an application for remediation under this scheme qualifies.

The building assessment is carried out by a competent person. Obviously, that will show clearly whether pyrite is evident, and one then goes on to the more detailed testing that must prove the presence of pyrite in its own right. All of the costs will be covered under the scheme.

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