Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We will take on board those last few points.

Regarding the date of 29 June, the Deputy will be aware that the review can take place. The Minister has consistently acted with empathy on this issue. He has shown that empathy in his engagement with affected families. The reconstitution of the working group is one part of it. There is also a subgroup, which met from January to April 2024 with a focus on the financial aspects of the scheme. That subgroup included representatives from Engineers Ireland, Insurance Ireland, Banking and Payments Federation Ireland, the Department of Finance, local authorities and homeowner action groups. As such, homeowners are represented on the subgroup. The Deputy is right that the voice of the homeowners should be at the table, and it is. That is important.

The date of 29 June that triggers the review under section 11 of the Act is an important timeline. Data is important, but I take on board the point that the lived experience of the residents is equally important. The Minister is cognisant of that as well.

This is a good scheme. The Government and the Department want to ensure that it works for families and that the injustice they have suffered for too long is addressed in a meaningful way by the Government. We give our commitment to that.

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