Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The approach taken under the Pyrite Remediation Scheme was considered in the development of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme. However, due to the different scale of both schemes and the flexibility sought by homeowners the DCB Grant scheme required a different approach.

The enhanced scheme, as legislated for by the Oireachtas, is now up and running. It is a significantly improved scheme and any suggestion to change tack now would only set the clock back in terms of fixing people's homes.

So far since the first DCB Scheme opened 1,742 applications have been received from homeowners in Donegal, Mayo, Clare and Limerick- almost 75% of which have come from Donegal. More than 70% of these applications have already been approved as being eligible with a further 22% referred to the Housing Agency for additional analysis and assessment. All applicants are being kept up to date on the status of their application by their relevant local authority.

It is a complex scheme and therefore I have established an Implementation Steering Group to work through implementation issues as they arise and to make recommendations if further changes to the regulations or guidelines on the Scheme are needed. The Group comprises the relevant local authorities, my Department, the Housing Agency, and the Homeowner's Liaison Officer. I am satisfied that the various issues of concern affecting homeowners are reflected in the deliberations of the Group to date. It has met in August, September, October and also early November. This Group will report directly to me and will prepare a report on the first six months of operation of the scheme.

Furthermore the Act now allows me, as Minister, to increase the overall grant scheme cap of €420,000 a year after the Act has been commenced by no more than 10%, in accordance with the conditions of Section 11 of the Act. The Act also provides for a three-year review of the operation of the Act which the Act itself mandates.

Given that the Scheme has just launched in June of this year and that structures are in place to review implementation issues, it is important our focus is on delivering now for all affected people.