Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Senator for raising this important issue and allowing me to assure the House of the Government's commitment to deal with the issue of defects in apartments and to assist homeowners who may find themselves in difficult financial circumstances. Progress is being made. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, ably assisted by the Housing Agency and the local authority sector, has been working collaboratively to design a fit-for-purpose scheme that meets the needs of homeowners while respecting the rules of good governance. This work is almost complete in regard to an interim scheme and will ensure that funds begin to flow to those who need them.

I fully appreciate that affected homeowners want a statutory remediation scheme to be established immediately. I assure the Deputy that the Government shares that ambition but it is important to remember that this scheme will be with us for a number of years. It is important that we get this right, as I am sure all Members will agree. Our goal and main objective is to help residents get their homes and lives back together. We will do that. It will be a 100% redress scheme for affected homeowners and will be delivered in a meaningful and real way very shortly.