Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús báire, cuirim fáilte roimh an Chéad-Aire sa Tuaisceart, Michelle O’Neill, agus roimh fheisirí nua Pharlaimint na Breataine chuig ár dTeach.

Ní aontaím leis an mhéid atá ráite ag an Teachta Doherty. Tá sé soiléir go bhfuil an-chuid infheistíochta curtha ar fáil ag an Rialtas d’úinéirí tithe agus do theaghlaigh a bhfuil an-chuid damáiste déanta dóibh de dheasca míoca. Tá suas le €2.5 billiún curtha ar fáil ag an Rialtas don scéim seo. Is scéim i bhfad níos fearr í ná an scéim a bhí ann cheana in 2019, scéim a raibh Sinn Féin sásta léi.

Bhí Sinn Féin sásta leis an scéim a bhí ann in 2018-19.

I disagree fundamentally with the Deputy's presentation. Legal advice is always given to Government on a whole range of issues. I met with the representatives of mica homeowners at the time as Taoiseach. We dealt with many of the issues they raised with us in respect of the deficiencies of the 2018-19 scheme. The fundamental reality is that Sinn Féin supported and acquiesced to that 2018-19 scheme. Deputy Mac Lochlainn is on the record as having said that scheme would suffice. Of course, it was not satisfactory. That is why the Government acted in terms of dramatically changing and transforming the schemes.

The enhanced scheme, which was legislated for in June 2023, provides financial support to affected homeowners in Donegal, Mayo, Limerick and Clare. Additionally, Sligo has been added. Grants of up to €420,000 are available for affected homeowners, depending on the works required under the scheme. Transitional arrangements for the transfer of applicants from the older scheme to the new scheme were also provided. The enhanced scheme provides an evidence-based system for new counties or parts of counties to be designated as required. There is a lot of research and an extraordinary amount of work. A report on the first six months of the operation of this scheme was recently prepared for the Minister. It concluded that within the legislative framework set down by the Oireachtas, the scheme was operating satisfactorily. Indeed, the new scheme provides very substantial enhancements: 100% grants, subject to an overall maximum-----

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