Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this extremely important issue, which provides me with the opportunity to update the Seanad on the matter. I offer an assurance to the Seanad and to the homeowners and residents of the many apartments and duplexes with defects that we are absolutely committed to resolving it. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and I fully acknowledge the stress that is caused when defects arise in people's homes.

Since the receipt of Government approval in January of this year to draft legislation to establish supports for the remediation of defects, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has been working to progress the various programmes of work that are required to place the remediation scheme on a statutory footing. As the Senator knows, a key aspect of this work is the development of a code of practice, in the context of the Fire Services Acts, to provide guidance to relevant professionals, including guidance on interim safety measures. The development of this code of practice was a key recommendation of the working group the Minister established to examine defects in housing. The publication of the code is a matter of priority and it is imminent. It is a key feature on which the operation of the remediation scheme will be based. It will support the development of a reasonable and practicable approach to resolving fire safety defects, with the aim of ensuring a consistent approach nationwide to remediation. As I said, work on the code of practice is nearing completion and the Minister expects to be able to publish it shortly.

The code has been drafted in consultation with industry professionals, local authority fire services and the Housing Agency. The scheme will incorporate a means or methodology, based on the code of practice, for prioritising the allocation and nature of support and funding, including the funding of interim measures to ensure the highest-risk buildings are first to be supported. In order to ensure important life-safety works are not paused, remediation works related to fire safety defects, entered into or commenced from 18 January 2023, will form part of the remediation scheme, subject to terms and conditions. The details of this process are being worked out as a priority, in parallel with the development of the code of practice.

Work is under way to draft the required legislation. As the Senator is no doubt aware, the totality of work includes a number of components, that is, the code of practice, the interim measures and the legislation underpinning the overall scheme. The work under way includes the scope, eligibility and conditions of the remediation scheme. While the Minister is working on the development of the scheme as a matter of priority, sufficient time is required to draft the legislation to ensure the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures. The scheme will be administered by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis. Interaction and interdependency with local authority fire services and others must be considered, with a need to ensure the remediation of fire safety defects is carried out to the satisfaction of the local authority fire services. An advice and information service and portal within the Housing Agency is in the process of being established.

I appreciate the stress this issue is causing for homeowners and residents. The code of practice is the key document for the remediation of fire safety defects. A commitment has been given in respect of spending incurred since 18 January. The code will be published very shortly. I recognise that homeowners require certainty. The Minster, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, is fully committed to getting the scheme up and running as quickly as possible.