Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party) | Oireachtas source

I asked the Taoiseach a question last Tuesday on the defective concrete scheme and his answer was completely disingenuous. He is trying to mislead the public into thinking the scheme is working and many people have benefited from it. That could not be further from the truth. He claims 450 homes are under construction while failing to acknowledge only 69 homes have been completed. There is a big difference between a commencement and a completion - you cannot live in a commencement. The Taoiseach knows this, but rather than state the facts he attempts to mislead the public. With 69 completions since 2022, the scheme is not working. The Taoiseach has failed. The 450 homes he referred to may not necessarily even be going into construction. Sixty-nine completions since 2022 is 69 families - not 450 families - who are in their homes.

This completion rate is not reflective of the tens of thousands affected. Access to the scheme is limited, for many reasons: people cannot afford to get on it, working capital, financial shortfalls and lack of accommodation in Donegal. The homeowners who are availing of the scheme are going into more than €100,000 of debt. Their kids cannot go to college because they are trying to put a roof over their heads.

The amendment Bill the Government intends to bring in the spring has the potential to right many wrongs and could impact homeowners positively, but the Government has to work with the homeowners and with me to ensure this happens. In order to do this, we must face the reality and acknowledge the truth. The fact is that a minimum of 10,000 homes and 40,000 people in Donegal are impacted by this. The only way we can move forward is to work together.

Impacted homeowners in Donegal and across the country are desperately waiting for changes. They are desperately waiting for the rates and the caps. The Taoiseach knows that I.S. 465 is not fit for purpose. It is under review. We are all waiting but we all have to work off the same facts and figures. Truth needs to be told. We cannot afford to get this wrong again. It has been wrong on two occasions. People's mental and physical health is suffering.

I will ask the Taoiseach the question again and hope there is a genuine answer: will he work with me, the 100% Redress Party and the impacted homeowners to ensure the necessary changes are made? I am looking forward to a straight answer and dates.

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