Written answers

Monday, 8 September 2025

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Housing Schemes

Photo of Barry WardBarry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1237. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding a timeline for the publication and progression of legislation to underpin the defects remediation schemes to support apartment owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46179/25]

Photo of Ivana BacikIvana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1254. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if legislation to underpin the defects remediation schemes for apartment defects will complete pre-legislative scrutiny before the end of 2025; and when he anticipates that the legislation will pass both Houses of the Oireachtas. [46455/25]

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1237 and 1254 together.

Remedial works, which will include all eligible fire safety, water ingress and structural safety defects, will be funded under the forthcoming statutory Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme.  Priority drafting of the legislation to underpin the Scheme, the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024, was approved by Government on 18 September 2024. This Scheme will establish supports for the remediation of relevant defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. 

Given the complexity of the issues, including the significant amount of Exchequer funding that this Government has committed to assist affected homeowners, sufficient time for drafting the legislation is required to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for tax payers' money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures. 

My Department is progressing the drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill. Various issues requiring legal advice are currently under consideration.  The General Scheme will be made available to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny as soon as is practicable and I would anticipate this happening in the Dáil Autumn term.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.