Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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279. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on a scientific paper (details supplied) published in the number-one internationally ranked journal for building and construction; if he will outline what implications this paper has for the IS 465 that he and the Government have based a multi-billion remediation scheme on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14697/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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There are a number of reviews of standards (including the review of I.S. 465:2018) with respect to defective concrete blocks (DCB), which are currently being carried out by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), which is an autonomous body under the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. My Department has requested NSAI to identify the necessary research required to support review of the relevant standards as a matter of priority.

An interagency Defective Concrete Blocks – Technical Matters Steering Group has been established to support and inform the NSAI Standardisation Program in relation to technical issues. The steering group includes representatives from my Department, NSAI, Geological Survey Ireland (GSI), Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and The Housing Agency (observer). The Steering Group has agreed a process to specify, procure, fund and manage research projects, subject to budget constraints, and research proposals have been developed by the relevant NSAI Technical Committees, including pyrrhotite oxidation in concrete blocks, potential impact of deleterious materials on foundations etc.

The NSAI and the interagency Defective Concrete Blocks Technical Matters Steering Group are aware of the scientific paper referenced and will consider it as part of their research.

Once the necessary reviews have been concluded after the commencement of the enhanced DCB scheme and any revised standard published by the NSAI, the enhanced DCB scheme will be reviewed at that point, in the event that such amendments are required.

It would not be appropriate to delay the imminent introduction of the enhanced DCB scheme while these reviews are being undertaken by the NSAI and related groups. It is important that the significant enhancements contained in the enhanced scheme, including the increased grant rates and the ancillary grants relating to alternative accommodation are made available to homeowners who have not yet applied under the previous grant scheme, and that those enhancements are also retrospectively made available to existing applicants to the previous grant scheme as soon as possible

My Department has published an updated “Your Questions Answered” document on the Department’s website to ensure homeowners have the most up to date information available to them for the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks scheme. It can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/publication/775c0-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme-your-questions-answered/