Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.

Section 36 of the Act provides that the Government may make a further Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) scheme for the purposes of enabling a designated local authority or an approved housing body to remedy damage caused to dwellings by the use of defective concrete blocks in their construction.

My Department is working closely with the designated local authorities in developing a DCB Social Homes Scheme for designated local authorities and approved housing bodies affected by Defective Concrete Blocks. Work is at an advanced stage and I expect it to be finalised in the coming weeks.

The DCB social homes scheme will include the same grant rates and caps as outlined in the private scheme for homeowners. It will apply to local authority and approved housing body homes located within designated local authority areas. It will encourage local authorities to manage efficiencies and make the best use of all available resources to remediate their affected homes.