Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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261. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will instruct the Pyrite Resolution Board to amend the pyrite remediation scheme to make available expenses for storage and accommodation in advance of homeowners moving out for the remediation period, to facilitate organising deposits and up-front payments without having to apply for a social protection payment or put themselves through unnecessary hardship. [36115/16]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for making and overseeing the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme.

In accordance with the provisions of the , the Board is independent in the performance of its functions, and as Minister, I have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. The Board may be contacted by telephone at LoCall 1890 252 842 or by email at info@pyriteboard.ie.

Notwithstanding the above, the pyrite remediation scheme provides for the recoupment by scheme participants of the vouched cost of alternative accommodation, furniture removal and storage subject to limits of €3,000 and €2,500 (inclusive of VAT), respectively. In addition, the scheme already provides that earlier payment in part or in whole may be made where a scheme participant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Housing Agency that payment of these costs on completion of the works would cause financial hardship.

In this regard, I am satisfied that the scheme provides the necessary flexibility to enable advance payments to be made to scheme participants in respect of alternative accommodation and the removal and storage of furniture where the case for financial hardship has been made to the satisfaction of the Housing Agency.