Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will bring the very important points the Senator raised back to the Ministers. I do note from the wording of her motion, it was an interim OMC regulator. Maybe that was perceived as non-statutory. I take the very serious points the Senator raised on board. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has also been advancing the steps to put the remediation scheme on a statutory footing as a matter of priority.The full remedial works, which will include all necessary fire safety measures, as well as those related to water ingress and structural damage, will be funded under the statutory scheme. Given the complexity of the issues, including the significant amount of Exchequer funding that the Government has committed to assist affected homeowners, sufficient time is required to ensure the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for taxpayers’ money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures, which I am sure the Senator will agree are important. However, in respect of refunds for outlay made by homeowners before the interim scheme came into operation, the Government approved the principle of allowing remediation costs incurred or levied to be covered under the forthcoming statutory remediation scheme, once such costs fall within the scope and defined parameters of the scheme.

It is expected the general scheme of the proposed Bill will be submitted to the Government before the summer recess. Subject to the legislative process, the statutory scheme will be in place shortly thereafter. As I noted earlier, it has been agreed to establish an interdepartmental group to consider what further regulatory measures are required for the OMCs. I will bring the specific points raised by the Senator back to both Ministers.