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.

The enhanced grant scheme facilitates the remediation of existing houses that have been damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks, but not the construction of separate additional houses on adjoining sites. The construction of new separate additional houses will not be grant funded.

The Act requires rebuilding on the exact position on the land of the existing dwelling. However, there is flexibility in terms of footprint of a rebuild and exact rebuild on the footprint is not required, subject to compliance with Building Regulations and compliance with planning. In this regard, it should be noted that the planning exemption for a rebuild as set out in section 28 of the Act is for a dwelling, which is not inconsistent with, or materially different from, the appearance and character of the original dwelling. In such scenarios homeowners should engage with their Competent Building Professional to consider the possible impact on any energy retrofit work they may be considering and the effect a different footprint may have on such works and/or associated grants

Under the enhanced grant scheme, in addition to the grant for actual construction works, and within the overall maximum grant cap of €420,000, an additional grant of up to €25,000 for ancillary grants is available for alternative accommodation and storage costs and the cost of immediate repair works. Ancillary grants for these purposes may be approved in respect of costs incurred before or after the making of an application for a remediation option grant.