Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Beacon South Quarter development was built between 2005 and 2014 and comprises approximately 600 apartments and several commercial buildings. Built by Paddy Shovlin and Landmark Enterprises, it was a celebrated development during the Celtic tiger years. Unfortunately, we are now seeing the legacy of Fianna Fáil in government in the discovery by residents that their homes contain many structural defects. An EGM notice was issued by the management company to residents on 13 January seeking payment of €1 million in regard to water ingress and €9 million to rectify fire compliance issues. They are facing this bill through no fault of their own. The EGM called by the management company and the agent, Aramark Property, last Monday seems somewhat contrived in that the Statute of Limitations that was mentioned by the chair of the management company, Simon Coyle, has expired. Given that the first issues in regard to leakages and so on were discovered in 2010, it seems very convenient that payment of €10 million is now being sought.

The situation is extremely distressing and upsetting for the residents, who are already paying significant management fees of somewhere between €800 and €1,500 per year and simply cannot pay such large amounts. It is not yet known how the bill will be divided up between the units and how much each home owner will have to pay. Moreover, there is no transparency in regard to the tendering process and residents have no way of knowing if they are getting best value for money or if they will face further costs down the line.

I am asking the Government to assist the residents in finding a fair resolution to this matter. We have seen similar issues at the Longboat Quay and Priory Hall developments. I compliment the Government on introducing new building regulations in 2014 but, as they are not retrospective, they are of no assistance to the residents in my constituency. The Beacon South Quarter owners and residents group is doing a lot of work behind the scenes to assist the residents, and another EGM is due to take place in a month's time. Will the Minister use his political capital with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, to see whether an equitable solution can be devised in collaboration with all of the parties, including Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council? It should be noted that Clúid, the largest non-profit housing association in the country, owns 58 apartments in block B1 and is looking at a fire safety bill of €540,000.

The State cannot completely wash its hands of this. I am not necessarily saying the Exchequer should foot the bill, but the Government should assist these people in a context where the regulations are not retrospective. Will the Minister consider the possibility of offsetting their substantial bills against tax, similar to what is done under the first-time buyer's scheme, or perhaps offering a VAT rebate on these essential works, as we do in respect of home renovations? We must address this matter urgently and I ask the Minister to act without delay to see what he can do.

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