Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I spoke about the mica issue earlier in the Chamber. To add to that, the Act was commenced back in late June and regulations have been signed. The enhanced scheme is now open to new applicants. It provides an evidence-based system for additional counties and parts of counties to be designated as required following a technical assessment by the Housing Agency. The enhanced and current schemes are not compensation or redress schemes. They are remediation schemes of last resort, put in place by the Government in order to voluntarily assist homeowners to remediate damage caused by the use of defective concrete blocks. Engagement is ongoing with Banking and Payments Federation Ireland on specific issues raised by homeowners to see what can be done to respond to their concerns. Existing applications to the current scheme will benefit retrospectively for the new enhancements being brought under the new scheme. The legislation provides for transitional arrangements from the current to the enhanced grant scheme. Homeowners will also be able to apply for ancillary grants for alternative accommodation and storage in accordance with the legislation.

There has been a constructive series of meetings with Donegal County Council over the past number of weeks. Updated rebuilding costs for 2023 for both Donegal and Mayo were received at the end of February. These updated costs relate to eight house types and provide for an increase of between 13% and 15% since the first report back in 2022. The reports for Clare and Limerick were received on 18 April and are currently being considered.

The expert group also made recommendations to the Minister to operationalise the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, SCSI, report to address all options to be included in the regulations.

To answer the Deputy's question, the scheme provides for 100% grants, subject to an overall maximum grant of €420,000 per dwelling, which we think is fair. Grant rates are in keeping with advice from the SCSI. A Government guarantee in the form of a second grant option is required for a period of 40 years. A revised application process removes the financial barrier to scheme entry and there is an independent appeals process. Alternative combination storage costs are allowed up to a maximum value of €25,000, including immediate repair. The expertise of the Housing Agency is being used in assessing applications. There is the inclusion on the RTB register of rental properties and the inclusion of Clare and Limerick in the enhanced scheme upon commencement and options for other counties to enter the scheme, which I mentioned earlier. Exempt development status for like-for-like remediation works is also completed under the scheme.

Regarding the specific targets for affordable housing schemes per county raised by Deputy Dillon, I will have to come back to him on that. There should be affordable housing schemes in every county but we need to bear in mind that the cost of housing varies considerably from county to county and there are some counties where it is more expensive to build a new home than to purchase an existing one. That needs to be borne in mind in anything we do.

On the housing adaption grant and the disabled persons grant, DPG, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, has done some work on this. We acknowledge that the cost of home adaptions has gone up considerably. We have to recognise that and that there is a lot of demand for the scheme. We want to make sure it is properly funded because housing adaptions enable people to stay in their homes for longer and to be discharged from hospitals quicker. It is not just a benefit for them; there is a wider social benefit too. The Minister of State has developed a paper on that which we will consider soon.

I congratulate Deputy Cian O'Callaghan on his appointment as deputy leader of his party. It is a very important role. We will give consideration to his suggestions regarding young people leaving care. I acknowledge that young people leaving care cannot just be abandoned and sent off on their way at the age of 18, given their background and their experience in life. They need a plan and ongoing help and if we do not provide that for them, the costs will be much greater.

See this speech in context