Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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118. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of properties which entered into the pyrite remediation scheme with category 2 diagnosis following visual inspection from an engineer, and where the diagnosis was later reversed to category 0 following sample core testing prior to remediation taking place, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20325/16]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The , which was first published by the Pyrite Resolution Board in February of 2014, was developed having regard to the relevant provisions of the and the recommendations set out in the (June 2012). The full conditions for eligibility are set out in the scheme. It is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment, carried out by a competent person in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol, indicating a Damage Condition Rating of 2.

As set out in the scheme, each application must first be validated by the Pyrite Resolution Board which involves an assessment of the application against the relevant eligibility criteria, and may include an audit of the Building Condition Assessment. Following validation, the application is referred to the Housing Agency for the assessment and verification stage which involves confirmation that the damage recorded in the Building Condition Assessment in respect of a dwelling is attributable to pyritic heave. Damage verification may be based on an individual dwelling or on associated dwellings. Associated dwellings may be verified on the basis of comparable damage and/or earlier tests with similar results.

My Department understands from the Pyrite Resolution Board that no dwellings have been excluded from the pyrite remediation scheme following the completion of the assessment and

verification stage by the Housing Agency.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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119. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he can provide the number of homes remediated under the clause contained in Part 3, section 17, exceptional circumstances, (3) of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20326/16]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website (). The scheme is applicable to dwellings which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave established in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol. In this regard, it is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment with a Damage Condition Rating of 2.

A total of five dwellings which had a Damage Condition Rating of 1 when their Building Condition Assessments were first completed have now progressed to a Damage Condition Rating of 2; these dwellings have now been included in the pyrite remediation scheme.

While dwellings with Damage Condition Ratings of 1 do not qualify under the scheme, some may be considered in accordance with the exceptional circumstance provisions set out in section 17 of the Act. As matters currently stand, no dwellings have been included in the pyrite remediation scheme under the exceptional circumstances provisions of the Act.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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120. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the cost of remediation per unit and remediation per phase has increased as a result of inflation in the construction sector; if he will provide comparative costings, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20327/16]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme. In general terms, the cost of pyrite remediation is largely dependent on the dwelling type, the number of units in a project, the floor area of the dwellings, the depth of hardcore in the units and the presence or otherwise of under-floor heating systems. Against this background, remediation costs can vary significantly and may not always be directly comparable across projects. While my Department monitors overall expenditure under the scheme, the costs associated with individual projects are determined by on-going competitive procurement processes which fall within the remit of the Housing Agency.

In this regard, dwellings which have been included in the pyrite remediation scheme are grouped into projects in order to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of the funds available to the scheme. For each project, a specific programme is developed to facilitate the execution of the remedial works which, in many cases, is carried out on a phased basis. The programme commences with the appointment of an engineer to survey the dwellings, prepare remedial works plans and the tender documents necessary to procure a works contractor to remediate the dwellings in the project. The procurement of the engineer is undertaken in accordance with national procurement guidelines and EU procurement regulations. A framework panel, comprising a list of engineers already qualified to carry out this type of work, has been established by the Housing Agency for this purpose.

On completion of the remedial works plans, a separate tendering process is undertaken to engage a works contractor to remediate each of the dwellings in the project in accordance with their remedial works plans. The procurement of the works contractor is also undertaken in accordance with public procurement rules. Similar to the position with regard to the appointment of the engineer, a framework panel, comprising a list of works contractors already qualified to carry out this type of work, has been established by the Housing Agency from which tender proposals are received.

Remedial works are carried out by the successful works contractor in accordance with the remedial works plans and I.S. 398-2: 2013: Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hard core material – Part 2: Methodology for remediation works. The engineer will undertake inspections at critical points during the process in order to issue the Certificate of Remediation in accordance with Annex B of I.S. 398-2: 2013.