Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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79. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an overview of the legal action that the State will take against manufacturers of defective concrete blocks; and the length of time that it will take for this matter to enter the courts system. [36595/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Following on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and I intend to progress the legislation before the end of term in order to ensure that we can have the scheme ready for homeowners to access by the end of the year.

The purpose of this Bill is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.

I requested and recently received a copy of an audit report of quarries in Donegal. This has required collaboration between State agencies, Donegal County Council, the National Building Control Office, as departmental lead, and the Geological Survey of Ireland. I am now reviewing with a view to publication and ensuring its recommendations are carried out.

I will appoint a Senior Counsel to review the causes of the defective concrete blocks and make recommendations on the matter. I expect to finalise terms of reference and appoint an experienced senior counsel in the coming months.