Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I welcome the announcement that an expert panel is to be established to ascertain what exactly is causing the cracks in the houses, assess what kinds of remedies might exist and establish the number of householders affected. I acknowledge that the Minister of State visited some of the houses that are affected in order to understand the impact of the problem at first hand and how it progresses, in addition to the impact on the many affected families.

Progress has been unduly slow in the context of reaching this point. It is two years since the issue first came to the attention of the Department. I have raised it in the Dáil several times with the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Kelly, and I emphasised the importance of setting up the expert panel. Doing so is the first step necessary if the issue is to be addressed. It is welcome, nonetheless, that this is now happening.

Is the Minister of State confident that a full report on the work of the expert panel will be completed by 21 May 2016? What is the position of the Government on redress for homeowners who may not be able to obtain assistance in any other way to address the problems with their homes?

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