Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I take on board the points made by Deputy McHugh on independence and on taking on board the submissions in a proactive way. We will take on board the specific point on owners who have paid engineering costs. We are moving towards a full and better resolution.

Deputy McHugh specifically asked about retrofit. It is important to clarify a number of aspects of the parameters of the scheme. Foundations are being considered as part of the National Standards Authority of Ireland's review of the IS 465 standard. Any future change to this will be integrated into the scheme. The scheme is based on legal advice on a like-for-like remediation grant. Remediation options will adhere to building regulations.

In respect of home upgrades, I can confirm that homeowners will be eligible for the newly revised SEAI retrofit grants on the same terms and conditions as other homeowners. This was clarified earlier by the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smith. Significant work is under way to make immediate improvements to the current scheme in parallel with legislating for and implementing the enhanced scheme. Amending regulations are being finalised to provide for immediate recoupment to homeowners of engineers' fees and the introduction of allowable costs for essential work for immediate repairs to the value of €5,000. There is also an increase in the value of stage payments that can be drawn before the final grant payment.

An expert group has been established to advise the Minister on technical issues for purposes required in the legislation. These include, for example, damage threshold for entry into the scheme, an independent appeals process, second grant conditions, certificates of remediation, engagement with and resourcing of local authorities to continue the work of the scheme and the role of the Housing Agency in an enhanced scheme and transition.

It is important that people accessing grants under the scheme are able to avail of the national retrofit scheme in a way that delivers a seamless customer experience. Work is already under way between the Department and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a streamlined mechanism. It is our intention this will be deployed over the coming months.

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