Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
753. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if officials from his Department will be meeting with homeowners and representatives prior to an updated report on the regulation of defective blocks being published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27993/23]
View answerThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022, which provides for the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme, will be commenced as soon as Regulations are completed. The Homeowner liaison Officer, Mr. John O’Connor, is tasked with leading engagement with homeowners groups, including on the draft Regulations. I met with the Chairs of the Homeowner Action Groups on 10 May 2023 and set out a number of amendments, proposed by stakeholders through the consultation process that I have agreed to include in the draft Regulations.
I aim to commence the 2022 Act and adopt the Regulations in the coming weeks. This will allow the significant enhancements contained in the enhanced scheme, including the increased grant rates and the ancillary grants relating to alternative accommodation are made available to homeowners who have not yet applied under the previous grant scheme. These enhancements will also retrospectively be made available to existing applicants to the previous grant scheme as soon as possible.
