Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We will do our best; it is the first day back. I would be interested to hear more about the extension of the date to allow in applicants who purchased homes after the initial date. I have met the Minister of State to discuss that matter, as have other Deputies. Unbeknownst to those people, they bought homes with category 2 pyrite damage but they cannot get into the scheme. Our work will remain incomplete if we fail to provide some option for those with category 1 pyrite damage because they have nowhere else to go. It is a last-resort remediation scheme, which I debated prior to its implementation with the then Minister, Phil Hogan. I was involved in putting the scheme together with the Minister of State, Deputy English, and others. It was always intended to review the scheme with the potential to expand it. While category 1 damage is not deemed significant within the meaning of the scheme, the home is nevertheless worth nothing and one cannot move on. I know the Minister of State understands that those people are left in limbo. A formal review of the scheme through the joint committee would be a way to proceed. We must look at other options here because there are hundreds of households with nowhere to go. Time does not permit further questions on the fact that no appeals have been granted.

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