Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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822. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is aware of the delays to some interim remediation scheme pathfinder projects due to a requirement to re-tender for contractors; how he will address it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10745/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As of the end of February 2025, 200 applications to the Interim Remediation Scheme (IRS) have been validated, having met the required eligibility criteria. These applications represent 19,048 residential units, located in 28 local authority areas, with circa 78% in the Dublin region.

To support the implementation and increase the efficiency of the IRS, four pathfinder projects are currently underway. The projects have been selected from applications made to the IRS, representing 595 residential units. The pathfinder process, which will also inform the development of the Statutory Scheme, is facilitating the design of templates and standards for documents to be prepared by Competent Professionals (CPs), including procurement arrangements, proposals for fire safety assessments, fire safety risk assessments, interim measures remedial work plans, and other project-related paperwork.

As part of the learnings from the pathfinder process, I am fully aware that The Housing Agency (HA) is currently revising the IRS to ensure it better aligns with EU and National Public Procurement requirements. Communications were issued by the Agency in this respect on 13 February 2025. Letters were issued to the four pathfinder projects and the other relevant scheme applicants, detailing the implications and next steps. Any delays to works commencing are being minimised and the pathfinder project applicants are being kept up to date as necessary.