Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce a grant scheme for the remediation of homes affected by pyrite in cases when all other remedies have been exhausted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5614/11]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he will take to regulate the quarry industry in view of the problems encountered with pyrite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5615/11]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures he will introduce to ensure adequate consumer protection is provided to those purchasing a home in view of the inadequacy of the Home Bond guarantee in relation to pyrite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5616/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 to 64, inclusive, together.

Appropriate measures necessary to prevent the use of pyritic material as hardcore filler in underground foundations in buildings have already been taken by my Department since the current pyrite problems first manifested themselves in mid-2007. These measures include: clear communication with local authorities, relevant public bodies and industry stakeholders to bring the matter and their responsibilities in relation to it to the notice of all concerned; the publication by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), in response to my Department's intervention, of a revised Standard Recommendation on the use of aggregates as infill for civil engineering and road construction work, the new version of which came into effect on 7 December 2007 and which is intended to address the quality standards of new homes and buildings insofar as problems relating to pyrite are concerned; the amendment of the Technical Guidance Document (TGD-C) of the Building Regulations to reference the amended NSAI Special Recommendation, and give it practical effect in the context of building works. A copy of the relevant amendment to TGD-C is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie . These measures should greatly assist in preventing the recurrence of pyrite problems in housing.

The remediation of homes affected by pyrite is a matter for the parties concerned, namely the building owner, the relevant developer and the builder's insurers. Where the construction of a building is the subject of a contract between the client and the builder enforcement is a civil matter. The question of the introduction of a publicly funded grant scheme does not therefore arise. I have no function in relation to any scheme run by Homebond which is a private company.

Consumer protection in the area of quality construction of new dwellings is a critical issue and I have asked my Department to prioritise the formulation of policy proposals that will enhance compliance and enforcement of the building regulations in general.