Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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784.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the support available to homeowners affected by pyrite and are availing of the enhanced defective concrete blocks scheme, who are being refused home insurance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34037/24]

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 2022 Act') on 22 June 2023, which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.

I have engaged with Insurance Ireland with regards to the insurance aspects of underwriting houses that have been subject to certified remediation works under the defective concrete blocks grant schemes and they have assured me such homes will be treated in the same manner as any other home.

The Department of Finance has overall responsibility for policy matters in relation to insurance. However neither the Minister for Finance nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can direct the pricing or provision of insurance products. The provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept and adequate provisioning to meet those risks. These are considered by insurance companies on a case by case basis.

Insurance Ireland, the representative body for insurance providers in this country, operates an Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance, which can be contacted at 01 676 1914 or feedback@insuranceireland.eu. Similarly, Brokers Ireland, the representative body for insurance brokers in Ireland, has access to a wide range of providers and products, and can offer advice for customers when sourcing cover. Brokers Ireland can be reached at 01 661 3067. Furthermore, where an individual considers that they have been treated unfairly, they have the option of making a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). The FSPO can be contacted either by email at info@fspo.ie or by telephone at 01 567 7000.