Changes to Defective Concrete Block Bill are 'not enough'

The Minister for Housing has received Cabinet approval to publish the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill

The Bill will widen the group of relevant owners that can avail of increases in the grant scheme cap and rates approved in October and November 2024 and contains other technical amendments to ensure the continued smooth operation of the grant scheme for homeowners.

The Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme supports affected homeowners to remediate their dwellings, where their dwelling has been damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks in its construction.

The scheme is open to homeowners in Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Mayo and Sligo.

“I have met with many people this issue impacts, particularly across the north west region, and I was determined to get amendments to the original act actioned as soon as possible. I have listened to their concerns, and the issues raised by local representatives and advocacy groups on this matter.

“While mindful of the cost involved, and our responsibility to ensure taxpayers funding is appropriately spent, I am committed to flexibility and fairness when it comes to dealing with the situation faced by those affected by defective concrete blocks,” said Minister James Browne.

Homeowners who reached the maximum scheme cap of €420,000 will be able to apply to their designated local authority to have a new remediation option grant amount determined in line with the increased scheme cap and rates provided for under the scheme in October and November 2024.

Upon receipt of this new grant amount, relevant owners will be able to submit unpaid invoices for consideration and payment to their designated local authority in line with their new grant amount.

Relevant owners who were given a non-demolition option and that are yet to commence works or ceased works on site as at November 6, 2024 will be able to apply to their designated local authority for a technical review of their determined remediation option and grant amount upon publication of the revised national standard IS465.

The amendment will increase the time to complete works from 65 to 130 weeks and reduce the application time from 12 weeks to 2 weeks for an extension.

Relevant owners who have reached the maximum scheme grant cap under the Act cannot apply for ancillary grants. However, the amendment will allow this cohort to apply for ancillary grants while still ensuring the overall total payment to the homeowner remains within the grant scheme allowable amounts.

The Act currently does not allow a person who does not satisfy the definition of a “relevant owner” to become a relevant owner where he or she is, or was, in a relationship with a relevant owner. The amendment will facilitate this for married couples, those in a civil partnership or co-habiting.

 The announcement comes following a Dail protest organised by pyrite-impacted Mayo homeowners.

Those involved were enthused by the united front displayed. “Previously it was always Donegal or Mayo but now we have formed alliances and plans of action,” said one of the organiser Nicola Byrne.

“It just renewed that hope that we need to keep going. It is a big fight and can be exhausting,” she added.

She said she did not believe the Ministerial announcement was coincidental and stated that nobody from the Department of Housing engaged with the protest. 

“It’s all PR, it’s all strategy, and it’s not enough.”