Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

345. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of properties that have been remediated under the pyrite remediation scheme; the number accepted into the scheme awaiting commencement; the number of applications pending, refused acceptance onto the scheme, appeals made and appeals upheld; the number of properties with a DCR of 1 or 1 with progression that have been included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27044/16]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The latest figures available from the Pyrite Resolution Board indicate that 1,315 applications have been received under the pyrite remediation scheme, of which 985 have been approved for inclusion in the scheme as follows:

- 286 are at remedial works planning stage,

- 209 are at tender/tender analysis,

- 2 are at tender decision,

- 87 are under remediation, and

- 401 are complete.

In addition, a further 173 applications were at the initial application and validation stage of the scheme, while another 97 applications are at the assessment and verification stage. A total of 60 applications have been refused under the scheme since it was first introduced in February 2014; appeals were received in respect of 12 applications of which 3 are currently under consideration by the Board. In the remaining cases, the appeals from applicants were upheld in 2 cases.

The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. 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. 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.

As matters currently stand, a total of 7 dwellings which had a Damage Condition Rating of 1 when their building condition assessments were first completed, and which were refused under the scheme, have now progressed to a Damage Condition Rating of 2; these dwellings have now been included in the pyrite remediation scheme following the submission of new applications.

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. To date, no dwellings have been included in the pyrite remediation scheme under the exceptional circumstances provisions of the Act.

Ultimately, the Board, together with the Housing Agency, will arrange for all eligible dwellings to be remediated to a high standard and at no additional cost to the affected homeowners. Remediation works will continue to be carried out at the earliest possible opportunity having regard to the existing demands of the scheme and the optimum use of available resources.