Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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138. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is aware of the sale of private properties with structural defects at a location (details supplied); if he is concerned with such sales; and if he will outline the powers, if any, he has to ensure that where properties with structural defects are being sold, there is a duty on the seller to fully declare such defects. [25198/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The report of the Working Group I established to examine defects in housing estimated that of apartments and duplexes (or associated common areas) constructed between 1991 and 2013, the number that may be affected by one or more fire safety, structural safety or water ingress defects, is likely to range between 62,500 and 100,000 apartments/duplexes. The Working Group did not specify any particular developments affected.

Since receipt of Government approval in January of this year, work is underway to draft legislation to establish supports for the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013.

The scheme will provide for a form of certification, based on a Code of Practice, in relation to the works carried out to remediate defects in an apartment/duplex building. This is important for a range of stakeholders and processes, for example, insurance bodies, financial institutions, and conveyancing.

My Department has no role in the private sale or purchase of properties. Obtaining appropriate professional and legal advice continues to form part of the due diligence that a person should undertake when considering the purchase of a property.