Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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73. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will report on work to incorporate County Clare in the defective concrete block scheme; if homeowners will be eligible for recoupment of 100% of the costs associated with carrying out the necessary works to address the damage caused by defective concrete blocks when County Clare is incorporated in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33434/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department received correspondence from Clare County Council in October 2020, requesting the extension of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme to County Clare. A comprehensive reply was subsequently issued to the Council in November 2020.  

My Department informed the Council that before any extension of the scheme can be considered, the same rigorous analysis as that put in place prior to the rollout of the scheme to the counties of Donegal and Mayo would have to be undertaken. Following further discussions between my Department and Clare County Council it was agreed that the local authority would take a lead role in determining, in accordance with the IS: 465 protocol, that issues arising in homes in County Clare are in fact due to the presence of excessive amounts of deleterious materials (mica or pyrite) in the aggregate used to manufacture the concrete blocks and secondly quantify the likely extent of the problem in the county.

Such analysis will provide the evidential basis necessary for the consideration of any extension of the scheme. Pending the receipt of and consideration of such analysis it would be premature to consider an extension of the scheme.

In respect of the existing scheme, 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 Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme, including issues such as grant caps, homeowner contributions, engineering and allowable costs etc.  I expect that the review to be undertaken by the working group to be completed by 31 July, and will inform any changes or improvements to the scheme as may be required, which I will bring forward after consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General.