Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 553 and 554 together.

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 (OMCs) via the Housing Agency’s website.

In the period since the Scheme’s launch, up to and including 31 October 2024:

• 185 applications have been validated, meeting the required eligibility criteria, and are being progressed across 28 local authority areas; representing
• a total of 17,864 residential units, with just over 78% of units affected located in the four Dublin local authority areas.

Three of these projects have completed their engagement with the Local Authority Fire Service (LAFS) and will receive Grant Agreements in the coming weeks. Funding can then be drawn down as works are completed and certified in due course.

Full remedial works, which will include all eligible necessary fire safety measures as well as those related to water ingress and structural damage, will be funded under the forthcoming statutory Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme. Priority drafting of the legislation to underpin the Scheme, the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024, was approved by Government on 18 September 2024. This Scheme will establish supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013.

Given the complexity of the issues, including the significant amount of Exchequer funding that this Government has committed to assist affected homeowners, sufficient time for drafting the legislation is required to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for tax payers' money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures.

In addition, the Government approved, on October 22nd, the establishment of a Retrospective Costs Pathfinder for the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme. This Pathfinder will be developed using a representative sample of Multi-Unit Developments (MUDs), and will help to identify and establish an appropriate process to address retrospective issues more broadly, facilitating applicant engagement while ensuring good governance of Exchequer funding.

It is expected the legislation will be published later this year and that, subject to the legislative process, the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme will be in place shortly thereafter.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023 provide for an exemption from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of the temporary use by or on behalf of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to accommodate or support displaced persons or persons seeking international protection and set out the class of structures covered.

If someone wishes to establish whether or not planning permission is required for a particular development proposal they can seek a declaration from their local authority under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000.

Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as Minister, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 430 of 22 October 2024, which sets out the position in this matter.