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

The new scheme includes a revised application process, which removes the financial barrier to scheme entry; an independent appeals process for applicants; and alternative accommodation and storage costs and immediate repair works to the maximum value of €25,000, which people had asked for. It provides for the expertise of the Housing Agency in assessing applications, the inclusion of RTB-registered rental properties, which had not been included in the older scheme; the inclusion, as I said, of Clare and Limerick in the enhanced scheme upon commencement; and exempt development status for remediation works completed under the scheme. The scheme is estimated to cost €2.3 billion. I do not know how the Deputy can say the focus has been on limiting financial allocation to this scheme when the costs are estimated at about €2.3 billion. By any objective yardstick, it is a significant response by the Government. Quite a significant number of applications were received. The combined total paid to local authorities to date is approximately €49.3 million. Some 1,644 applications had been received in the older scheme - they have transitioned to the new scheme, plus a further 514. A total of 821 applications were referred to the Housing Finance Agency.

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