Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Deputies for their contributions. I know Deputies are keenly aware of the scale of the crisis that confronts us. This scheme is the State stepping up to the mark in a voluntary capacity, in the form of a grant scheme, having accepted that there is a moral obligation on Government to put in place practical solutions for impacted homeowners. Government fully accepts that impacted homeowners have been through a very difficult time. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, addressed that aspect in some detail in this opening remarks.

The Government also accepts that the current scheme, while well intentioned, did not work as intended and that the difficulties and challenges which arose needed to be addressed. We are also legislating for a much more enhanced, workable and fit-for-purpose grant scheme which will respond to the issues raised by homeowners and other stakeholders during extensive consultations over the past 12 months. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, has been in County Clare and other areas to meet homeowners in their homes, in connection with this issue. I also met with many residents, along with Deputy McHugh, at the convention centre last year. I heard first hand about the anguish they were going through, their frustrations and the considerable challenge that they faced in their daily lives.

The enhanced scheme addresses the challenges and difficulties experienced with the current scheme by removing the financial barrier to the scheme entry, by having the Housing Agency carry out testing of homes and absorbing the cost; limiting homeowner outlay to between €500 and €700 for a building condition assessment, the cost of which is recoupable; conferring exempt development status on remediation works approved under the scheme; increasing the overall grant cap from €247,500 to €420,000, which is a significant increase; providing funding for alternative accommodation and storage costs and immediate repair works, up to a value of €25,000; adding the counties of Clare and Limerick to the scheme and providing a pathway for addition of other counties, if required; a simplification of the application process and a significant reduction in the administration and bureaucracy associated with the scheme.

Challenges will also be addressed in the enhanced scheme by the introduction of a damage threshold for entry to the grant scheme, which will not be set and used to prevent homeowners accessing the scheme, but to ensure they will enter the scheme at the appropriate time, in order to ensure that the worst-affected homes are prioritised; the establishment of an independent appeals process, with key decisions under the scheme now subject to an appeal; the addition of rented dwellings registered with the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, on or before 1 November 2021, as eligible for the scheme; a certificate of remediation grounded in primary legislation; a Government guarantee in respect of remediation works, provided through the availability of a second grant option, if required, for a period of 40 years; provision for inflation, as required; confirmation of eligibility for SEAI grants for thermal upgrades and bespoke arrangements by SEAI to manage such applications and provision for the introduction of an Exchequer-funded grant scheme for local authority owned and approved housing owned social homes.

In addition to these specific enhancements, which are set out in the Bill, Government has also agreed to review the existing IS 465 standard for the assessment, testing and categorisation of homes suspected of being impacted by defective concrete blocks; review the concrete blocks standard, including the standard for aggregates; review the potential impact on foundations in homes by defective concrete blocks; review the potential impact on full cavity insulation on homes impacted by defective concrete blocks; appoint a senior counsel to consider the issue of wrongdoers and their pursuit and the expansion by the Department of Health of the MyMind service to assist vulnerable homeowners and their families with regard to mental health issues which have arisen owing to the impact of this issue.

The remediation of Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 can address the challenges being faced by affected homeowners. The passage of this very important legislation will mark the beginning of the end of the challenges being faced by impacted homeowners, by giving them a much enhanced and fit-for-purpose grant scheme.

The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, will continue to work closely with all Members of the Oireachtas and listen carefully to their views. We can all agree that it is essential that this Bill passes through all Stages of the Dáil and Seanad in a timely fashion and that the enhanced scheme can be open for applications as soon as possible. I thank all Deputies for their engagement on the Bill and the Minister will respond to the specific questions and amendments proposed on Committee and Final Stages. I commend the Bill to the House.

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