James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

Government funding for this work continues to be provided, with a record €175 million allocated to fund the scheme in 2026. That is more than double the amount allocated to the scheme this year and reflects the strong take-up of the scheme as it begins to take hold, particularly in the north west of the country. In line with the commitment to keep the scheme under review and to improve it, the Government has approved the priority drafting of legislation to provide for the increases in the grant scheme cap and rates that were announced late last year, which have applied to all new applicants since that time, to be extended to a wider group of homeowners who have incurred eligible costs under the grant scheme since 29 March 2024. In addition, I plan to make a number of amendments to the legislation to the scheme to ensure it can continue to be applied in as efficient and equitable a manner as possible to all homeowners. This legislation is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and a Bill is included in the autumn 2025 Government legislation programme for priority publication. I expect it will be brought before the House shortly.

I am confident that the proposed amendments in the forthcoming Bill will address a number of matters of concern for homeowners, as are covered by the Deputies in this motion. I am acutely aware of the terrible effect and hardship that deleterious materials have caused and the toll this has had, and continues to have, on many individuals and their families. A major focus of this motion is rightly on protecting the mental health of homeowners and residents. This Government is committed to providing mental health supports for individuals and families affected by the defective concrete blocks issue. Free counselling sessions are available to individuals and families in the five relevant counties, and the Department of Health has worked with the HSE to ensure that mental health supports are available through MyMind. Homeowners can visit its website and register for the service. The Department of Health has also agreed to consider a face-to-face offering, instead of online telephone support, and will consider additional support and advice for children. Deputies will be aware that the current grant scheme was designated in accordance with the prevailing scientific evidence available at the time. The ongoing commitment from the Government is that the scheme will be amended in line with any new scientific evidence that is required. We will follow the science.

In this regard, in November 2024, following receipt of preliminary results from scientific research on damage to dwellings in County Donegal, all homeowners who have been given a non-demolition option were offered the choice of continuing with the work on their dwelling under the option determined, or the option of a full technical review of their application by the Housing Agency. This review will be informed by the current research, once the full review of the national standard is complete. I believe it is a pragmatic and equitable approach that offers flexibility, real choice and options to affected homeowners.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland, with the aid of comprehensive public consultation, which closed in July this year, is in the process of finalising its review of IS 465:2018, the national standard that underpins our defective concrete blocks scheme. It is considering close to 650 submissions that were received. My colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, recently confirmed he has been informed by his officials that an estimation of finalisation of the review of comments, and subsequent publication of the revised national standard, will be provided shortly. He has requested that the NSAI publish this update on its website when available.

The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 includes the provision of an appeals process for homeowners. Appeals under the defective concrete blocks scheme are covered by a statutory process under an appeals panel led by a senior counsel, and with experts from the legal and engineering professions appointed by the Minister under a clear and transparent process managed on his behalf by the Public Appointments Service. I am aware of a degree of concern about the speed of the appeals processes. My Department, which provides administrative support to the appeals panel, has passed on these concerns. However, it should be noted that the appeals system is an independent statutory function under the 2022 Act. Thankfully, I understand it has now begun to issue determinations to appellants and it is expected to accelerate its work in the coming weeks.

One thing we all agree on is how important this issue is and that everything that can be done to alleviate the distress of homeowners is being done. I thank the Deputy and look forward to hearing thoughtful and further helpful contributions here this morning.

I may have to step out quickly for an incorporeal Cabinet meeting and will be gone for about 60 seconds.

See this speech in context