Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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156. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the way he will ensure the outcomes of the public consultation on the Review of Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations will be included in the drafting of legislation to support the remediation of apartments and duplexes with fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects, constructed between 1991 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5941/23]

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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157. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the legislation for remediation of apartments and duplexes with fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects, constructed between 1991 and 2013, will ensure the replacement of cladding systems paid for by public redress funds will be targeted towards the application of non-combustible materials only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5942/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together.

On 20 January 2023, I launched a three-month public consultation on proposed amendments to Part B of the Building Regulations relating to fire safety. The details of the public consultation can be found on my Department’s website at the following linkwww.gov.ie/en/consultation/1ed7c-public-consultation-on-the-review-of-part-b-fire-safety-of-the-building-regulations/. Submissions in this regard may be made to partbconsultation@housing.gov.iebefore 5pm on 21 April 2023.

Following consideration of the comments from the consultation process, amending regulations to Part B of the Building Regulations will be made and the associated TGD B will be finalised. After which, the existing regulations and TGD will cease to have effect subject transitional arrangements.

In respect of defects in apartments, I received Government approval on 18 January 2023 to draft legislation to support the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. This legislation will provide a statutory basis for the establishment of a remediation scheme aimed at protecting the safety and welfare of those living in apartments or duplexes.

It is intended that the scheme will support the remediation of relevant defects, where practicable, to the standard that applied at the time of their original construction. Where this is not practicable, alternative approaches and options will be considered that provide a reasonable level of life safety protection. In this regard, a Code of Practice in the context of the Fire Services Acts, to provide guidance to relevant professionals, including guidance on interim safety measures is currently being developed.

Work is now underway to draft the required legislation which will include the scope, eligibility and conditions of the remediation scheme which will become operational following implementation of the required legislation. Subject to the legislative process, it is intended that a scheme would be in place in 2024.