Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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780.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on when payments will be made to owner management companies via the Housing Agency under the interim remediation scheme for fire safety defects in apartments and duplexes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[33930/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Interim Remediation Scheme for Fire Safety Defects in Eligible Apartments and Duplexes (‘Scheme’) provides for the funding, through Owner Management Companies (OMCs), of emergency fire safety defect works in order to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in affected buildings pending completion of the full remedial works.

A whole building approach is required to remediate relevant defects and to improve the safety of all occupants in the building. This means that all parts of the building (e.g. the common areas, the individual apartments etc.) must be considered together when addressing defects.

The Scheme application process is broken into eight phases, of which Phase 3 requires significant input from OMCs, involving engagement of a Competent Professional to carry out a thorough fire safety investigation, identify required works and engage with Local Authority Fire Services in the preparation of an Interim Remediation Works Plan. Once Phase 3 is completed, and with confirmation of continued eligibility, a Grant Agreement can then be issued to the OMC and funds can be drawn down as works are completed and certified in due course.

To support the implementation and increase the efficiency of the Scheme, four pathfinder projects are currently underway. The projects have been selected from applications made to the Scheme, representing 595 residential units. They vary in size and complexity, and will provide valuable insights for both the interim and statutory schemes. Other applicant OMCs do not have to wait for the completion of pathfinder projects to progress their applications.

Two pathfinder projects have successfully completed their engagement with Local Authority Fire Services and one has advanced to Phase 4, awaiting confirmation of continued eligibility and the issue of a Grant Agreement. Funds can be drawn down as works are completed and certified in due course.

There are currently no delays in funding being issued.

As of 31^stAugust 2024, a total of 171 applications to the Scheme are being progressed across 27 local authority areas, representing a total of 17,206 residential units. Of these, 169 validated applications have advanced to Phase 2/3 of the application process, and one of the validated applications has successfully completed Phase 3 through a pathfinder project.