Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not have a date for when the new standard will apply. I hope the work will be completed very shortly because it is important to have it. It might change the situation for some people. At least when we have the new standard we can judge where it goes afterwards.

The Deputy spoke about common sense. The criteria are very tight and clear with regard to how money will be spent. It is taxpayers' money. There is a huge cost in the remedial work to these houses. I have been in the houses and people will admit it is questionable to warrant spending €50,000 of taxpayers' money to fix a house where significant damage has not progressed. This is what we must ask ourselves. It does not solve the problem because people are left in limbo and still have pyrite in their houses. It is at a low level but it is there and they cannot sell the property. It is an issue. The question that must be asked is whether we spend a lot of money fixing a house which does not yet have significant damage. There is a commitment that if damage progresses there is no closure date for the scheme and those houses will be fixed, but we must question the value for money aspect. I have told people we will try to find solutions if we can for those who feel their lives are on hold because they are in the wrong category but still have pyrite associated with their house.

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