Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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134. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the stage the review of a scheme has reached (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26576/24]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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135. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures his Department and the Government are taking to research the science on an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26587/24]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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136. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to address the shortfall in funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26588/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 134, 135 and 136 together.

I refer to my reply to Question No. 186 of 18 June 2024 (PQ 25933/24) regarding a review of the Defective Concrete Block (DCB) Scheme.

It should be noted that arising from the Government Decision of 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced DCB grant scheme, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) was tasked with delivering a programme of work to address a number of technical items.

The NSAI is Ireland’s official standards body and is an autonomous body under the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment. I understand they are working on drafting interim guidance that will take the form of an amendment to I.S. 465 to enhance the sampling and testing protocols within the standard, taking account of all available findings to date, including the initial research output relating to internal sulphate attack. The NSAI have confirmed the amendment will serve as a step forward in the review and development process of I.S. 465 noting the full evaluation of I.S. 465 continues to be reliant on the delivery of the final outputs of key research projects.

Following the publication of any revised standard published by the NSAI, the Act provides for a review of the operation of the Act within 3 months of the completion of the review of the standard.

With regard to Scheme funding this Government remains committed to providing 100% funding for all eligible homes under the Scheme up to a capped amount of €420,000. Furthermore, the Act also allows for the grant rates and overall grant scheme cap to be reviewed on an annual basis. My Department recently received an updated cost report from the Society of Chartered Surveyors in Ireland, which will inform this ongoing process.