Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1609. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the pyrite remediation scheme; if he will set out a timeframe as to when he expects all homes to be repaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34779/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While it is not possible to put a definite timeframe on the duration of the pyrite remediation scheme and on the completion of remediation works to all homes affected by significant pyritic damage, the initial phase of the scheme will deal with up to 1,000 dwellings which, it is estimated, are in need of repair over the two year period ending in 2015 .

The position post-2015 will be dealt with having regard to the circumstances at that time. However, the considered view is that the number of dwellings that may require remediation post-2015 will not be as large as previously thought. There are a number of positive indicators that support this view including the number of persons who have currently applied to the Pyrite Resolution Board under the scheme which now stands at 560 approximately.

The pyrite remediation scheme, which was published by the Board in February 2014, was developed having regard to the recommendations set out in the Report of the Pyrite Panel. The scheme is one of “last resort” and only applies to dwellings with a damage rating of 2 established on foot of a Building Condition Assessment in accordance with I.S. 398-1 :2013 Reactivepyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate to the Board that they have no practicable options other than under the scheme to secure the remediation of their dwellings.

Of the approximately 560 applications that the Board has received, some 375 have been validated and referred to the Housing Agency for the next stage in the process, i.e. the assessment, verification and recommendation phase. In the region of 150 dwellings have now been recommended for inclusion in the pyrite remediation scheme and the applicants have been notified accordingly. The first remediation works under the scheme commenced earlier this month on a small group of houses in a development in north Dublin.