Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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89. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider amending the defective concrete blocks grant scheme to include an additional allowance for the restoration of gardens that are destroyed during the demolition and reconstruction of affected homes; if he is aware that the average cost of garden restoration is estimated at between €8,000 and €13,000; if he will ensure homeowners are supported in fully restoring their homes, including outdoor spaces, rather than being left with a building site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52200/25]

Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
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90. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason there has been no formal request to the SCSI for an update to the report on construction costs for the enhanced defective concrete block scheme; to provide a timeline for when such a request might be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52259/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department keeps costs relating to the DCB Scheme under continuous review.

Following updated cost reports from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and advice from the Expert Group established to consider the matter, a further increase from the original grant rates set down in the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act), was provided for on 23 October 2024. The Scheme Cap has risen by 10% to €462,000. An increase in the scheme grant rates of between 7.4% and 8.7% that are set out in the 2023 Regulations was also approved on 7 November 2024.

Government approval was granted for the priority drafting of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill which will contain details of the wider group of relevant owners that can avail of increases in the grant scheme cap and rates approved in October and November 2024 along with a number of technical amendments. This legislation is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and the Bill is included in the Autumn 2025 Government Legislation Programme for Priority Publication.