Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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558. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason recommendations outlined in completed engineers' reports on the IS465 register at stage one of applications and submissions on behalf of persons affected by MICA to the financial assistance scheme for the remediation of damaged dwellings due to defective concrete blocks have been rejected; the number of applications which have been made; the number which have been successful; the number of applications which have been rejected; the grounds on which they have been rejected; and the number of the rejections which were common to one engineers' office. [30578/21]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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559. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether there appears to be a trend in the applications for redress to the financial assistance scheme for the remediation of damaged dwellings due to defective concrete blocks which shows that some engineers on the IS465 register have been more successful in passing stage one of the application process than others on the IS465 register list when applying for redress on behalf of clients whose properties have been affected by the MICA issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30579/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 558 and 559 together.

The local authority has responsibility for the detailed administration of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme. This includes the assessment of applications for eligibility and payment of grants to successful applicants under the specific remediation option approved. While an engineer's report informs a local authority's consideration and assessment of a grant application, the final decision on eligibilty for the scheme and the level of funding approved rests with the local authority.

As on 19 May 2021, a total of 433 "Stage 1 - Confirmation of Eligibility" applications have been made, of which 232 have been approved. 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. A total of 36 applications for "Stage 2 - Grant Approval" have been made, of which 9 have been approved. My Department does not hold information in relation to unsuccessful applicants for individual local authorities. This information may be available directly from the local authorities.

Engagement between my Department, the local authorities and local action groups on scheme will continue. In this regard, I have proposed a timebound working group, with representatives from my Department, the local authorities and homeowner representative groups, to review and address any outstanding issues in relation to the operation of the scheme, including issues such as grant caps, homeowner contributions, engineering and allowable costs etc. I propose that the recommendations of this working group will inform any changes or improvements to the scheme as may be required, which I will bring forward in conjunction with my Government colleagues, and in particular in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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560. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department has taken into consideration or conducted a study to determine or examine the costs associated with making an application or submission for redress to the financial assistance scheme for the remediation of damaged dwellings due to defective concrete blocks in County Donegal. [30580/21]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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619. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if an audit will be carried out of all public and private buildings in counties Donegal and Mayo that could be affected with MICA; if so, if it will be ensured that the cost of the engineering survey is not a barrier to families being able to apply for redress; if it will be ensured that redress will be 100% of the cost to fix the damage done to buildings; if an investigation will be carried out of the way MICA contaminated building materials were not checked for contamination; if the reason building regulations were not enforced will be investigated; if the reason the firm at the heart of the supply of the MICA contaminated building materials is still supplying material to Donegal County Council will be investigated; if he will meet with representatives of a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31464/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 560 and 619 together.

The cracking of external walls of dwellings in Donegal and Mayo, due to the crumbling of concrete blockwork, came to light in 2013. An Expert Panel was established in 2016 to investigate the matter. It was chaired by Mr Denis McCarthy (former Chief Executive of Waterford Co Co) and it included representatives nominated by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland, and the Institute of Geologists of Ireland.

Their Report (available on the Departments webiste) was published on 13 June 2017. It concluded, inter alia, that the disintegration of the concrete blocks used in the construction of the affected dwellings in Donegal and Mayo was primarily due to excessive amounts of deleterious materials in the aggregate used to manufacture the concrete blocks. The deleterious material in Donegal was primarily muscovite mica and in Mayo it was primarily reactive pyrite.

The panel estimated that the scale of the problem in Donegal as being between 1,200 to 4,800 private dwellings and 541 to 1,000 social housing dwellings. In the case of Mayo, the panel estimates that the minimum potential number of private dwellings likely to be affected is approximately 345 and a total of 17 social housing units across 3 estates are known to be affected.

Rigorous analysis therefore has already been carried out in relation to the construction of dwellings which are affected by the use of defective concrete blocks, with chapter three of the report specifically relating to building regulations and oversight.

The resulting Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme was informed by the work of the 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.

In the first instance homeowners apply to the local authority seeking confirmation of eligibility for the scheme. As part of this application process, an approved engineers report in accordance with I.S. 465:2018 is required. The report confirms the existence or otherwise of excessive amounts of pyrite or mica in the blockwork which have given rise to defective concrete blocks and is based on a visual inspection, core sampling and laboratory testing which is carried out by the engineer employed by the homeowner. The cost of the report can vary from home to home but the scheme allows for recoupment of 90% of the cost to eligible applicants, subject to a maximum recoupment of €6,300. I understand that feedback from homeowners who have been through the stage 1 process is that the costs allowable for stage 1 are in line with the costs being incurred.

Budget 2021 provides funding of €20 million to fund the operation of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme for the counties of Donegal and Mayo. At this stage 433 stage one applications have been submitted and nearly 54% have been approved.

Local authorities are independent legal entities whose purchasing activities are governed by public procurment rules. It would not be appropriate therefore for my Department to comment on the individual purchasing decisions of local authorities.

Lastly, engagement between my Department, the local authorities and local action groups in relation to the scheme will continue. In this regard, I have proposed a timebound working group, with representatives from my Department, the local authorities and homeowner representative groups, to review and address any outstanding issues in relation to the operation of the scheme, including issues such as grant caps, homeowner contributions, engineering and allowable costs etc. I propose that the recommendations of this working group will inform any changes or improvements to the scheme as may be required, which I will bring forward in conjunction with my Government colleagues, and in particular in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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561. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a centre (details supplied) which is leased by Donegal County Council will undergo a health and safety inspection prior to reopening given the structural damage to the building as a result of the MICA issue in County Donegal. [30581/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Donegal County Council is an independent legal entity whose leasing activities are outside the remit of my Department. It is a matter for Donegal County Council to satisfy themselves that leased properties are structurally sound and fit for purpose.

Local authorities have powers available to them under various legislative provisions to enable them to deal with the saferty of structures and places.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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562. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the owners of properties in County Donegal which have suffered damage due to the MICA issue will be offered a health and safety inspection and or emergency accommodation if necessary while they are awaiting redress through the financial assistance scheme for the remediation of damaged dwellings due to defective concrete blocks in County Donegal. [30582/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The local authority has responsibility for the detailed administration of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme. This includes the assessment of applications for eligibility and payment of grants to successful applicants under the specific remediation option approved.

The scheme only opened for applications at the end of June 2020 and applications received to date are being processed by the respective counties. Affected homeowners should be encouraged to engage with the council on the scheme to ensure that in the first instance their property is eligible for stage 1 approval and that the correct remediation option is identified and implemented as expeditiously as possible.

The provision of health and safety inspections or emergency accommodation would be outside the scope of the scheme but local authorities do have powers under various legislative provisions in terms of the safety of buildings and places.

Engagement between my Department, the local authorities and local action groups in relation to the Scheme will continue. In this regard, I have proposed a timebound working group, with representatives from my Department, the local authorities and homeowner representative groups, to review and address any outstanding issues in relation to the operation of the Scheme, including issues such as grant caps, homeowner contributions, engineering and allowable costs etc. I propose that the recommendations of this working group will inform any changes or improvements to the scheme as may be required, which I will bring forward in conjunction with my Government colleagues, and in particular in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General.