Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)

I will start by thanking the housing Minister for bringing forward, in his first few months, a Bill that will address some of the changes needed to the defective concrete scheme. However, I have communicated to him there are a few issues that need changing.

The decision, for example, to fix a cut-off date for the increased scheme cap and updated grant rate as 29 March 2024 is simply unfair. It flies in the face of what the previous Minister for housing, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, said when he publicly promised early movers would not be penalised. Only 43 homes were actually completed by 29 March 2024. That means the vast majority of families well into the process of rebuilding their lives have been unjustifiably excluded. This is unfair treatment. As well as this, splitting eligibility mid-project is complete madness. It creates a two-tier system that punishes those who acted quickly and in good faith according to what the former housing Minister told them to do, often at great personal and financial risk. We have people who started their build in August 2023 and completed it in March 2024 before the cut-off date who are now not entitled. However, a neighbour who goes on 29 March is entitled to the 10% retrospective.

To make matters worse, the doubling of timelines for rebuilds through no fault of the homeowners has not been acknowledged. The auxiliary grant support scheme will run out and people will be forced to pay rent and mortgages at the same time with money they simply do not have. Who gains from this? The answer is greedy contractors who are inflating prices while vulnerable families are left with the burden to carry as they try to get through this scheme. I acknowledge the genuine impact this has had on the homeowners.

The housing Minister engaged with us and I acknowledge that. Together we can create a scheme that is fair and leaves absolutely nobody behind. We need to listen to those who are affected. I am urging the Minister of State to speak to the Minister and reconsider the fixed date of 29 March 2024. I know many people who will be left behind if this date is used and I am sure this is not the Minister’s intention. He can fix this but he needs to get rid of that date.

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