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

I am not being confrontational on this in any way, shape or form. I have engaged extensively with the group and with homeowners in the area. To put this in context regarding the cost of remediation, the Deputy referenced the pyrite remediation scheme. The average cost of remediation under this scheme was between €60,000 and €80,000 per home. The average cost in respect of the defective blocks scheme is significantly higher than that, as the Deputy will know. The maximum approved cost is €275,000. Apples and oranges are being compared here. We have to be honest with people.

At the request of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, and Deputy McHugh, I met the group a number of months ago and asked for additional information to be sent to me, which I received on 29 April. I will assess it and be happy to keep all Deputies and other representatives in Donegal and Mayo apprised. My colleague, Deputy Calleary, has raised issues concerning the 10% contribution and how we might be able to bridge that gap, for example, with other State agencies. I am open to considering the matter, but I encourage people to continue engaging with the scheme in its current form. We will work with them as best we can.

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