Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
157. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance to provide an update on his engagement with the retail banking sector, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and representative groups of homeowners affected by defective concrete blocks with respect to bridging finance and the significant funding shortfall homeowners face to remediate their homes. [43136/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Government response on the MICA issue is led by my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
I understand from his Department that there has been a number of engagements between his Department and the Banking and Payments Federation (BPFI) on specific issues raised by Defective Concrete Block homeowners.
My Department maintains contact with the BPFI on an on-going basis across a range of issues. At an official level, there is also ongoing engagement on a range of matters, as required, between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Finance.
As Minister for Finance, neither I nor my Department have any role in relation to the commercial decisions of individual regulated entities, such as decisions they may make on applications for credit.
The Government fully understands the importance of this issue in the communities affected by the MICA issue and has responded by putting in place a Scheme of financial support to help affected homeowners. I will continue to work with my Government colleagues, as necessary, to ensure that the Scheme operates effectively and consistently for all affected homeowners who access it.
