Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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24. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will explain the way Homebond may be involved in the pyrite resolution process established by him when they have recently informed homeowners that all previous inspections and tests which they carried out were being withdrawn; his views on whether this amounts to a conflict of interest. [20425/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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HomeBond is one of the construction stakeholders who have agreed to set up a not-for-profit entity to operate a remediation scheme under the supervision of the Pyrite Resolution Board (PRB) . Under the proposed process, i t is intended that t he entity will be the borrower of the loan facility , which a number of financial institutions have indicated their willingness to provide , to facilitate the early commencement of pyrite remediation works.

The PRB will have responsibility to oversee and ensure the effective implementation of a pyrite remediation scheme for homeowners who have no other viable option to have pyrite remediation works undertaken and will work closely with the entity to deliver the maximum possible progress in remediating dwellings affected by significant pyritic damage within defined priorities. The PRB will receive and assess applications for remediation under the terms and conditions of the scheme. Only applications that have been approved by the PRB will be forwarded to the entity to undertake the next stages of the remediation process in accordance with the terms and conditions of the remediation scheme as drawn up by the PRB. The PRB will have oversight of the various stages of the remediation process and will ensure that the scheme is carried out in a fair and transparent manner and that the remediation works are carried out in accordance with I.S. 398-2:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material - Methodology for remediation works .