Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy for highlighting this issue. It is important to again assure the House of the Government's commitment to deal with the issue of defects in apartment buildings and to assist homeowners who find themselves in a difficult financial position. I fully appreciate that the affected homeowners want the remediation scheme to be established immediately. I assure the House that the Government shares this ambition. I did mention, however, that legislation must be enacted. Hopefully, this will get a good passage through the Houses once it is brought forward.

In the meantime, it is important that the owners' management companies do not pause the undertaking of important lifesaving work. For this reason, the Government has agreed that remediation works relating to fire safety defects entered into or commenced from 18 January 2023 will form part of the remediation scheme, subject to the proper terms and conditions. The details of this process are being worked out as a priority in parallel with the code of practice. This deals with fire safety defects where work was entered into or commenced from 18 January 2023 and is an element of retrospection.

As the works continue, the Minister looks forward to continuing engagement with key stakeholders and encourages all interested parties to participate in the public consultation on the code of practice when it is launched in the coming weeks. Primarily, the first instance, it will deal with the fire safety issue. The code of practice will provide for a system of certification whereby fire safety remediation works, when completed in accordance with the provisions of the code and signed by the competent building professional and competent builder, will demonstrate that the defects discovered have been satisfactorily remediated. This will benefit all stakeholders. As I mentioned, local authority fire safety certification will also be required.

I will speak directly to the Minister about this issue. The Deputy mentioned the timetable. I have provided some dates. An element of retrospection is dealt with in that regard. I am sure it is not to everybody's satisfaction, but there is an element of retrospection regarding work commenced earlier this year. I am sure that the issue of funding, especially for fire safety work, will be dealt with once the document is published. I will bring the matters relating to management companies and insurance to the attention of the Minister later today.

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