Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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446. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 318, 319 and 320 of 5 October 2021, the reason and the way in which representatives from other action groups were involved in the discussion around the inclusion of County Clare homeowners. [50545/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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447. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 318, 319 and 320 of 5 October 2021, the nature of this discussion given that there is no substantive reference to it in the working group's report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50546/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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448. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 318, 319 and 320 of 5 October 2021, when he will present to the Cabinet his conclusions based on the working group's report and the homeowners' position paper. [50547/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 446, 447 and 448 together.

The Defective Concrete Blocks Working Group which I established, was tasked with a review of issues of concern which had been raised by homeowners in respect of the Scheme, which applies to Mayo and Donegal only. Under the agreed Terms of Reference, one of the areas in scope for review was the issue of "Eligible Homes". This included, homes in the counties of Donegal and Mayo and the potential to extend the Scheme to homes in other local authority areas. Other interested parties sought admittance onto the Working Group but homeowners were restricted to those from counties within the Scheme.

It was considered that homeowners from Donegal and Mayo, who made up 50% of the working group, could adequately represent the views of homeowners who may be affected, regardless of their location. However, it was not the role or responsibility of these homeowner representatives to advocate on behalf of Clare specifically, for inclusion into the existing scheme. That work is being progressed by Clare County Council and a report on the matter was finalised and submitted by the Council at the end of

July. A formal response to the submission from the Council will issue shortly from my Department.

The Report of the Working Group, published on my Department's website, includes a request from both Engineers Ireland and the homeowner representatives that the Scheme should be open to all homeowners affected by the issue of defective concrete blocks, regardless of their location. My Department is in ongoing discussions with four local authorites on the matter.

Any extension of the Scheme will be considered as part of broader considerations by Government as part of the process following receipt of the Report of the Working Group on Defective Concrete Blocks. In this regard, following discussions with Government colleagues, I will shortly be bringing proposals to Government.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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449. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the details of correspondence, including the date of the most recent correspondence, and the nature of communication between his Department and Clare County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50548/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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450. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the dates and format of engagement between his Department and Clare County Council in relation to defective blocks, the inclusion of homeowners in the county in the national redress scheme and the presence of pyrite in homes in County Clare since February 2021. [50597/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 449 and 450 together.

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 and is not a national redress scheme.

My Department received both a written and electronic submission from Clare County Council, dated 23 July 2021, requesting the extension of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme to County Clare. A written acknowledgement of this submission subsequently issued to the Council on 3 August 2021. This acknowledgement informed the Council that my Department would review the submission and also sought a detailed breakdown of costs associated with the report.

A breakdown of costs associated with the report was received electronically from Clare Co Council on 28 September, 2021. A formal response to the submission from Clare County County will issue shortly from my Department. My officials spoke to colleagues in Clare County Council on 8 October 2021 in that regard.

Any extension of the Scheme will be considered as part of broader considerations by Government as part of the process following receipt of the Report of the Working Group on Defective Concrete Blocks. In this regard, following discussions with Government colleagues, I will shortly be bringing proposals to Government.