Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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769. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will address concerns regarding fire safety and building defects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29311/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill is progressing. Various issues requiring legal advice have been sought and are under consideration. It is included in the Government Legislation Summer Programme 2025 and I intend to seek Government approval to publish shortly. Subject to this approval, the General Scheme will be made available to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny.

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.

It was agreed that Cabinet would be briefed on the outcome of the exercise before any retrospective payments are made.

On 28 March 2025, application documentation was sent to eight Owner Management Companies (OMCs), for return to The Housing Agency by 2 May 2025. At the request of the OMCs, this return date was extended to Friday 16 May 2025. The Housing Agency is currently reviewing the documentation received.