Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I will bring this to the attention of the Minister for housing.

10 o’clock

I offer my condolences to the family. That is a difficult situation notwithstanding this matter. I note what the Deputy said about the review and that it needs to be done as soon as possible. I will bring those particular comments back to the Minister for housing. I know this mica scheme has been a big issue for the Deputy a very long time and I acknowledge his concerns in that regard.

I am answering this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. As the Deputy knows, the Minister commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 on 22 June 2023, which provides for the enhanced grant scheme, and adopted the related regulations on 29 June 2023.

That Act includes significant improvements to the previous scheme, such as how the previous scheme's 90% maximum grant was increased to a 100% grant for all remediation options 1 to 5, and the maximum grant cap for option 1, that is, demolition and rebuild, was increased to €420,000 from €247,500.

A revised application process was introduced, which now only requires the homeowner to submit an initial building condition assessment at minimal cost, recoupable on entry to the scheme. Alternative accommodation and storage costs are included, subject to a maximum of €20,000. With regard to works carried out under remediation options 2 to 5, a second grant option is available for such a home in the future if blockwork that was not removed as part of the initial remediation work subsequently proves defective in accordance with IS 465.

This Act precludes a change in approved remediation options from 2 to 5 to an option 1, which is full demolition. In such circumstances, the DCB Act obliges a homeowner to submit a new application to the enhanced scheme, which the Deputy mentioned.

I understand that the Minister acknowledges that this may be a matter of concern for homeowners who submitted their original applications some time back and a change in circumstance has now arisen. In order to assist such homeowners in the submission of their revised application, an official from the Department wrote to the chief executive of Donegal County Council on 20 December 2023. In this letter, the Department confirmed the requirement for the certificate of compliance with planning and the additional information, which is required for an application under the enhanced scheme to be considered valid, can be provided at the point when a homeowner submits his or her remedial works plan. The letter also confirmed that applications received from a local authority relating to homeowners in these circumstances will be dealt with expeditiously and without delay by the Housing Agency. I understand that the Minister believes that these two measures, when taken together, will ensure that any additional burden placed on this group of homeowners will be kept to a minimum. The Deputy mentioned how this is a bureaucratic nightmare for people. Obviously, the Government does not want that. This approach will ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible, while adhering to the legislative requirements laid down by the Oireachtas.

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