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

Deputy Clare Daly, along with many others, has been doing pioneering work on the area of pyrite. We are trying to address the issue as much as we possibly can. New presentations of those with pyrite - not of homelessness - is approximately ten a week. There is a fair lot still coming on stream. Therefore, I wish to stress that the scheme will not close.

The pyrite resolution board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme.  The scheme is one of last resort and is limited in its application and scope.  

The scheme is applicable to dwellings which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave established in accordance with - Deputy Daly probably knows the reference off by heart at this stage - I.S. 398-1:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol. In this regard, it is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the board must be accompanied by a building condition assessment with a damage condition rating of 2. This ensures that, having regard to available resources, the focus of the scheme is on dwellings which are most severely damaged by pyritic heave. We have no proposals to amend the eligibility criteria for the scheme.

At the end of the remediation works, each dwelling is provided with a certificate of remediation for reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material, which is completed jointly by the relevant builder and design professional in accordance with Annex B to I.S. 398-2:2013. The certificate confirms that the dwelling has been remediated to the requirements set out in the national standard.

A green certificate is issued in respect of dwellings that have been assessed, at the request of the homeowner, in accordance with the standard and considered to be free from pyrite. This issuing of such certificates is a matter entirely for the homeowners and the professional they engage. It is not part of the pyrite remediation scheme. Where a house has been remediated under the scheme, a certificate of remediation is provided and the issue of a green certificate does not arise.

I know the issue relates to the new standard to be brought forward. I had hoped we would have had it months ago. When the standard will be agreed is outside the control of my Department. Most people believe a change in it might help people to progress into category 2 quicker in order that they can be dealt with or that they would qualify for a green certificate. I hope the new standard will bring some changes and some certainty. I do not have them yet. I have asked that they would be fast-tracked as quickly as they possibly can. I have been told by the NSAI that we are talking about another couple of months or before the end of the year. I have said that this is not acceptable and have asked it to fast-track this as quickly as it can. I cannot progress solutions for people under the scheme until the new standards are developed.

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