Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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379.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider a more flexible approach to the rebuild location under the defective blocks scheme, particularly in relation to families with acute health conditions that wish to stay in their homes during construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24746/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.

The grant scheme, as set down by the Oireachtas, facilitates the remediation of existing houses that have been damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks, but not the construction of separate additional houses on adjoining sites. The construction of new separate additional houses will not be grant funded.

The Act requires rebuilding on the exact position on the land of the existing dwelling. However, there is flexibility in terms of footprint of a rebuild and exact rebuild on the footprint is not required, subject to compliance with Building Regulations and compliance with planning. In this regard, it should be noted that the planning exemption for a rebuild as set out in section 28 of the Act is for a dwelling, which is not inconsistent with, or materially different from, the appearance and character of the original dwelling. In such scenarios homeowners should engage with their Competent Building Professional to consider the possible impact on any energy retrofit work they may be considering and the effect a different footprint may have on such works and/or associated grants.