Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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153. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the reported issues in relation to defective mica blocks used in County Donegal and the resulting damage to homes now emerging; the actions being pursued by his Department to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28928/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The regulations for the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme came in to operation on 31 January 2020. The Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 provide for a grant scheme of financial assistance to support affected homeowners in the counties of Donegal and Mayo only, to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks.

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 grant limits agreed on foot of this engagement ensures that the scheme 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. Mindful that the scheme is being funded from the Exchequer the scope cannot be open ended.

Details of the scheme including remedial options can be found on the link below.

www.gov.ie/en/publication/7cf7f-overview-of-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/

Funding of €20 million has been provided to administer the scheme in 2021. The scheme will be demand led and the level of funding may vary between the local authorities.

The grant scheme targets a restricted group of homeowners who have no other practicable options to access redress. It is not a compensation scheme. It is provided in order to remediate the issue of the defective blocks or return the building to a condition it would have been in if it hadn’t been affected by the use of deleterious materials in the blockwork, namely Mica or Pyrite.

The application process opened in June 2020 and applicants are progressing through the various stages. I am keeping progress on the scheme under review and engaging with both local authorities and local action groups on the matter.