Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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112. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of engagements he and his advisers have had with a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30002/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I met with representatives from the Donegal Mica Action Group on three occasions. The first was at the launch of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, which took place in Buncrana on 6 August 2020. The second meeting was held virtually on 4 February 2021. The third meeting was also held virtually on 20 May 2021. One of my special advisors was present at these meetings.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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113. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of houses in County Donegal that have been approved to date under the MICA scheme; the number of applications currently under assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30003/21]

Darragh 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 only been open for applications since the end of June last year.

A total of 352 stage one confirmation of eligibility applications have been received by Donegal County Council, of which 183 have been approved to date. Following confirmation of eligibility there is an inevitable time lag before stage 2 applications are submitted by applicants as remedial works plans are developed and estimates from contractors are secured. 31 applications for stage 2 grant approval have been received by Donegal County Council, of which 9 have been approved.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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114. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason persons cannot receive 100% of costs covered under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30005/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme is underpinned by regulations made under Sections 2 and 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1979, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to provide for a grant scheme of financial assistance to support affected homeowners in the counties of Donegal and Mayo to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks. The scheme is targeted at assisting a group of homeowners that have no other practicable options to access redress for their home. 

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 €55,000 to €275,000 depending on the remedial option.  A grant of 90% of the approved costs associated with the necessary remediation works, subject to a maximum for each remedial option, or 90% of the actual cost of the remedial works, whichever is the lesser, is available under the scheme. This is in line with similar Government grant schemes where an applicant contribution to the costs is a requirement.  

The scheme design was informed by the comprehensive work of an Expert Panel and the current maximum grant amounts payable under the various options in the scheme were finalised in close consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This process was also informed by extensive engagement between my Department and both Donegal and Mayo County Councils. 

The scheme needs time to work and it is premature to consider making changes at this point. I am keeping progress under the scheme under review and engaging directly with both local authorities and local action groups on the matter.