Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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214. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a homeowner who has already been approved for funding vis-à-vis the defective concrete block scheme can expect to benefit from the improved terms of this scheme as agreed at a meeting of the Cabinet on 8 October 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42156/24]

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.

A review mechanism is provided within the 2022 Act, which provides for an increase or decrease in the overall grant scheme cap (currently €420,000) a year after the Act has been commenced by no more than 10%, in accordance with the conditions of Section 11 of the Act.

My Department received updated cost reports from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) that have been considered by the Expert Group I established. The Expert Group has recommended changes to the current scheme cap for remediation options, ancillary grants and the grant. I recently received Government approval on 8 October, 2024 to an increase in the grant scheme overall cap, currently set at €420,000 and grants rates that are set out in the 2023 Regulations.

To give effect to these increases I will subject, to the passing of a Resolution of Dáil Éireann and a Resolution of Seanad Éireann approving a draft Order under Section 11 of Act, bring a memorandum to Government requesting the Government to make that Order.

The 2022 Act provides that any change in the scheme cap or grant rates will apply to eligible relevant owners that are yet to receive a determination in respect of remediation option and grant amount. Extending these increases to a wider group of relevant owners requires amending the 2022 Act and I will be bringing a proposal to Government to give effect to this policy intention.