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

All options will be looked at. I actually do not agree with the Deputy and I do not think the pyrite remediation scheme or that legislation would be a sound footing to set up a significant piece of work like this. Some 28,000 homeowners and households participated in the survey, so we have a good handle on the scope, the range and the type of defects, from fire defects to water ingress to structural defects. We also have quite a good handle on what the approximate cost would be, although it is approximate. We are looking at that per unit of approximately €20,000. I am aware of people who have already carried out works and fire safety works because they had to for their own good and for the safety of their families. In advance of the end of this year, I will be bringing forward to Government both long-term options and options that we look at on an interim basis. However, we need legislation. We need a robust scheme, because this scheme will probably be with us for five to ten years at least. I understand the point that the Deputy has made about the pyrite remediation scheme and the legislation there. I know from talking to the Construction Defects Alliance that they have a concern of trying to shoehorn this scheme into that also. We need stand-alone legislation. I will keep the House informed and I will be bringing options to Government in advance of the end of this year.

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