Written answers

Wednesday, 17 February 2021

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Defective Building Materials

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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284. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he envisages changes to the upper limits of the mica scheme for counties Donegal and Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8398/21]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 came in to operation on 31 January 2020 and the resulting Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme has been open for applications since the end of June 2020. The scheme was informed by the work of an Expert Panel and the current maximum grant amounts payable under the scheme were finalised in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This process also took account of the comprehensive engagement that took place between my Department and both Donegal and Mayo County Councils, who operate and administer the scheme.

The scheme outlines five remedial options ranging from rebuilding on existing foundations to replacing of external walls. The maximum approved costs per dwelling under the scheme are significant and range from €275,000 to €55,000 depending on the remedial option.

Limits such as these have to be a feature of grant schemes to ensure that the schemes can be budgeted for with the potential financial liability known at all times and also to ensure that the available budget can benefit the majority of properties and the maximum number of people.

As the application process only opened in June 2020 it would be premature to consider or make any changes to the scheme at this time. I am keeping progress on the scheme under review and engaging with both the local authorities and local action groups on the matter.

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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285. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if local authority housing is included in the mica remediation scheme in counties Donegal and Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8402/21]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme applies to private dwellings in Donegal and Mayo that have been damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks. In respect of local authority housing stock, Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966 provides that management and maintenance is a matter for each individual local authority. This includes maintenance programmes and carrying out of responsive repairs and pre-letting repairs.

My Department provides support to local authorities in terms of various targeted social housing stock upgrade programmes, large-scale urban regeneration programmes, support for the return of vacant units to productive use, the Energy Retrofitting Programme and adaptations and extensions for people with disability in social housing.

In respect of local authority housing stock in Donegal and Mayo my Department has engaged with both authorities in relation to homes which may be impacted by defective concrete blocks. My Department will give due consideration to any submissions received on the matter from the respective local authorities.

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