Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is precisely because the Government and all those who represent those affected by the mica issue understand the anxiety and trauma that so many families have faced that the Government has worked hard to bring forward a comprehensive and strong response of over €2 billion to support families facing the nightmare of a home turning into a crumbling building.

It is because the Government recognised what needed to be done to improve on a scheme, which it hoped would work but did not yield what families were looking for, that it considered what could be done and has acted. We have brought forward a scheme that we are urging those who are affected by this issue to consider and reflect upon. It is a commitment of more than €2 billion in order that we can respond in regard to homes. Those who have been affected the worst will be dealt with first, putting in place plans, building on what is already there to support the cost for those who have to move out and to ensure that for homes that need to be rebuilt, a plan is in place to support that rebuilding. That is what the Government has done.

I want to use this opportunity to ask those affected to reflect on the plan and to ask the Deputy to reflect on the plan and the detail that we have brought forward. We asked for ideas from the Opposition in regard to this issue. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, wrote to Sinn Féin but it never responded. Sinn Féin never offered any views and it never brought forward any ideas. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, Deputy McHugh and those who are representing communities that have been affected the most by this issue, had to sit down and methodically come forward with a proposal that looked to balance the huge cost involved in this with meeting the needs of homeowners who have seen their dreams turned into nightmares. That is what the Government has done in terms of the plan it has brought forward. We acknowledge the measure that is there, which is a measure that we are bringing forward looking to contain costs where we can in going forward with a plan that will involve an investment of over €100 million per annum in those communities that need help.

What the Government has decided to do, and I believe is the right decision, is to bring forth in next year's Finance Bill a measure that ensures the construction sector makes a contribution to the cost that is involved in this measure. The Government has brought forward a comprehensive package in response to this issue. I have engaged with those who have been affected by this over a number of years. We want to act. We want to bring forward legislation and to put in place the work that needs to happen on the ground by agencies to respond to this issue and to ensure it is dealt with as quickly as possible because those who are affected by this have had a long time to wait.

While this measure is not a Finance Bill measure, Deputy Doherty, as is his right, and as he has done at other points, has brought forward the issue of how a contribution can be made. We brought forward and will implement a contribution levy in next year's Finance Bill. In regard to this year's budget, the decision the Government made last week is about how we can respond with over €2 billion to meet the needs of these homeowners in regard to an issue which we accept has gone on for too long and has caused anguish to so many. There is a plan. We urge those affected to consider it. The Government stands ready to act to legislate as soon as possible to make a difference to those who need it the most.

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