Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I am somewhat disappointed the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, did not respond directly on this question given the importance of this issue and the fact that I have engaged directly with him on the issue of the redress schemes.

I am glad to hear that the regulations are being prepared. Can the Minister of State provide a timeline for their approval and can he clarify whether there will be any primary legislation used to make amendment or is this to be done through regulation?

I should say in respect of the redress scheme there are key issues that the Construction Defects Alliance has raised on retrospection around when the reimbursement process will commence as there are tens of thousands of people who expect to be paid back in the coming months. Will the moneys go to the owner management companies for distribution or will they go directly to owners themselves? There are a number of questions that need to be answered on the retrospection side.

On insurance, many insurers are currently insisting that OMCs commit to getting all fire safety works completed within a year or they will withdraw cover. This is untenable. A Minister - I not sure which - has met the insurance sector but has the sector signed up to supporting the Government's approach rather than undermining it?

I will come back on the issue of OMC regulation further in the follow-up.

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