Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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598. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the actions he has taken, and proposes to take, regarding the defective concrete block scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39489/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the current grant scheme and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.

An Implementation Steering Group for the DCB Grant scheme has been in place since 2023. The Group comprises officials from the relevant local authorities, my Department, the Housing Agency, and the Homeowner's Liaison Officer. This Group meets regularly (every 4-6 weeks) and keeps the operation of the scheme under review and is tasked with working through issues as they arise and making recommendations if further changes to the regulations or guidelines are needed. This group provides a useful forum for discussion and feedback on operational and emerging matters around the scheme and draws attention to issues faced by applicants. The most recent engagement took place on 10 July, 2025, with the next meeting scheduled for September, 2025. 

This regular stakeholder engagement is augmented by meetings with elected representatives and homeowner groups. I recently visited Donegal and met with the Council and various representative groups.

In October 2024 the Scheme Cap was increased by 10% to €462,000 and an increase in the scheme rates of between 7.4% and 8.7% was approved on 7 November, 2024.

I received Government approval (on 4 June, 2025) for the priority drafting of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill which includes details of the wider group of relevant owners that can avail of the increases in the grant scheme cap and rates approved in October and November 2024. The Bill will also include other technical amendments to ensure the continued smooth operation of the grant scheme for homeowners. I expect the Bill to come before the Oireachtas for pre-legislative scrutiny during the Dáil's Autumn term.