Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Interim Remediation Scheme for the funding of eligible emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes has been in place since December 2023. The Scheme, which is being administered by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis, is open to applications from apartment Owners’ Management Companies (OMC) via the Housing Agency’s website.

In the period since the Scheme’s launch, up to and including 30 September 2024:

• 316 applications have been submitted for validation; from which
• 180 applications have been validated, meeting the required eligibility criteria, and are being progressed across 27 local authority areas; representing
• a total of 17,420 residential units, with just under 79% of units affected located in the four Dublin local authority areas.

The Scheme application process is broken into eight phases, of which Phase 3 requires significant input from OMCs, involving engagement of a Competent Professional (CP) to carry out a thorough fire safety investigation, identify required works and engage with Local Authority Fire Services (LAFS) in the preparation of an Interim Remediation Works Plan. Once Phase 3 is completed, and with LAFS confirmation of continued eligibility, a Grant Agreement can then be issued to the OMC and funds can be drawn down as works are completed and certified in due course.

It is not possible to provide a definitive timeline for the entire application process, as the duration can vary significantly depending on the specifics of each case and the speed at which the OMC or CP responds to requests for further information, particularly in Phases 3 and 4. However, I can confirm that all Phase 2 documentation (consisting of Confirmation of Validity, assigned Case Number and an Applicant Pack) has consistently been issued within the prescribed timeframe of 7–10 working days on receipt of a completed application.

LAFS have a significant role in the implementation of the Interim Remediation Scheme, and to support the Scheme’s progress, Letters of Approval to recruit 40.5 additional fire services staff have issued to ten local authorities.

In April of this year, four appropriate “pathfinder” projects were identified from applications within the Scheme. These pathfinder projects have allowed the mapping of the application and remediation process into simple steps, to identify pinch points and their solutions and to provide consistency across submissions by OMCs and related LAFS workings.

Three pathfinders are situated in the Dublin area involving three local authorities, and one in Kildare. These projects vary in size and complexity, providing valuable insights for both the interim and future full remediation schemes, across resource identification, standardisation of documents and process efficiencies.

Intense engagement has taken place over the summer period between the Competent Professionals, acting on behalf of the four OMCs and LAFS. Three OMCs have completed their engagement with fire services and will receive Grant Agreements in the coming weeks.

Subject to validation, it is expected that payments to OMCs will commence on eligible works before the end of this year.