Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand where Senators are coming from in respect of this scheme. In any scheme there will be a starting point from which one must proceed. It is like the home improvement grants in the past which required prior approval before the works could commence. Those who had carried out works obviously would feel aggrieved if they had known that a scheme would be introduced. There is always a starting point.

This is not a compensation scheme. This scheme is being introduced at a time of very limited resources to try to help those who have a problem with a house which is in need of urgent need of remediation. In spite of the very difficult financial situation I was glad to be able to persuade my Government colleagues to do something for those who have been identified in the independent report. I do not want to give a false impression that there will be a fall-back position of VAT refunds or compensation for people who have had works carried out. I do not want to create that impression. All I can say is that the Government has decided to deal with this category of people identified in the independent report.