Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy knows, the programme for Government has commitments in this area. Our colleague, the Minister, Deputy Martin, did much work in the previous Oireachtas, which informed the programme for Government commitment to examine defects in housing, and particular regard is had to the recommendations of the report of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, called Safe as Houses. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, established a working group to examine defects in housing. It has been meeting monthly since March last year. The terms of reference in May last year focused on fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes constructed between 1991 and 2013. I know that will not cover everything, but it is where the focus is. It includes an evaluation of the potential cost of technical remediation options and pursuing options and possible financial solutions to effect a resolution in line with the programme for Government commitment to identify options for those impacted by defects to access low-cost, long-term finance. It is critical the work is concluded as soon as possible to help apartment holders.

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