Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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595. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the rollout of the scheme to address the remediation of defects in apartments and duplexes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16552/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Legislation is currently being drafted to establish the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme on a statutory basis and subject to the legislative process, the Statutory Scheme is expected to be in place later this year. The Statutory Scheme will provide supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. It is envisaged that 100% of eligible remediation costs will be funded under the Scheme.

An Interim Remediation Scheme has been in place since December 2023, to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in buildings pending introduction of the Statutory Scheme and completion of the full remedial works. The Interim Remediation Scheme is for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes constructed between 1991 and 2013. The administration of this Scheme, under which Owner Management Companies (OMC) can receive funding to carry out the necessary remedial works, is being managed by the Housing Agency on behalf of my Department.

As of the end of March 2025, 201 applications have been received and validated, having met the required eligibility criteria. These applications represent 19,305 residential units, located in 28 local authority areas, with circa 77% in the Dublin region.

To support the implementation and increase the efficiency of the Interim Remediation Scheme, four pathfinder projects are currently underway. The projects have been selected from applications made to the Scheme, 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, 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 aware that The Housing Agency is currently revising the Interim Remediation Scheme to ensure it better aligns with EU and National Public Procurement requirements. A Press Release issued from The Housing Agency on 13 February 2025 and letters were issued to the four pathfinder projects and the other Scheme applicants, detailing the implications and next steps.

Grant agreements for the funding of the Competent Professionals engaged by the four pathfinder OMCs have been issued by the Housing Agency.

The Government has approved the principle of allowing remediation costs already incurred or levied to be covered under the forthcoming Statutory Scheme, once such costs fall within the scope and defined parameters of the latter. The details and mechanics of such retrospective funding are being addressed as the legislation is drafted. On 22 October 2024 the Government agreed the establishment of a Retrospective Costs Pathfinder Exercise from a representative sample of multi-unit developments, in order to identify and develop a potential appropriate process to address retrospective issues, based on fire safety remedial works completed.

Specifically, it will be necessary to fully examine and build a robust process around:

Alignment with existing Interim Remediation Scheme process;

Supporting Documentation and Timeframe;

Certification, Standardisation of Evidence;

Verification and Payment Processes.

This exercise should identify a process that provides a streamlined approach, ease of engagement by applicants and ensures good governance regarding Exchequer funding. I will brief Cabinet on the outcome of the retrospective pathfinder project in due course.