Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)

It is very difficult to speak about individual cases but I can speak about them one to one. There is a scheme in place, as I have laid out. To date, 31 homes have received a formal offer of financial assistance for relocation. Of these, 24 homeowners have now completed the process, which has enabled them to relocate and purchase or build a replacement home under the scheme. Three of the homeowners who received offers are not proceeding under the scheme and the remaining homeowners are in varying stages of progressing through the scheme for relocation. I assure the Senator that, at all times, the OPW is available to discuss any aspect of the scheme with the homeowners and to assist them with relocation under the scheme.

My office is open to working with all families. I was the one who introduced the scheme in 2017. There is a ceiling, however. We work with the Department of housing and there are criteria set out, but we are available to assist where we can. I encourage the Senator to go back to the homeowners with a view to their engaging with the Department. Where we can help, we will not be found wanting. The works fall under the scheme and we have to go along with the guidelines in front of us.

The Senator raised a question about Listowel. I have a report and am examining it. I will get back to the Senator on this. As I said to him, I will be visiting Kerry. A date has not been signalled but I assure the Senator that it will be in the very near future. I will work with him, but he can understand where I am coming from in that it is very hard to speak about individual cases when there are so many.