Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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286. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider extending the defective concrete blocks grant scheme to include those who bought property after 31 January 2020 and were not aware of the presence of mica in the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32845/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The relevant local authorities are responsible 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. 

Individuals who purchased a dwelling on or after 31 January 2020 will generally not be eligible for a grant. However, in certain limited circumstances, as an exception to the general rule, a relevant local authority may consider an application from an individual applying in good faith in the honest belief that they either did not know, or could not have known, that defective concrete blocks were used in the construction of the dwelling.

 It is a matter for the relevant local authority, which is independent in the exercise of its functions, to determine, based on facts and evidence in each individual case, whether an applicant is eligible for grant assistance under the scheme.