Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme

The meeting at 3pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will hear from officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and representatives from The Housing Agency, National Standards Authority of Ireland, Engineers Ireland and the County and City Management Association.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Steven Matthews said: “The Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme provides grants to eligible applicants whose dwellings were impacted by defective blocks to remediate their homes, up to a maximum of €420,000.

“Local authority areas in Donegal, Mayo, Clare and Limerick are currently designated under the scheme, although additional local authorities can seek inclusion in the scheme and a number are currently in the designation process.

“Affected homeowners in these counties have raised concerns around the implementation of the scheme, including delays in accessing funds and grants that fall short of 100 per cent redress. These and other issues with the scheme were discussed by the Committee in February when they met with representatives of affected homeowners from Clare, Donegal and Mayo.

“The Committee now looks forward to hearing from Department officials, statutory agencies and stakeholder groups about the operation of the scheme, the concerns raised by homeowners in affected counties, and related matters.”

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.