Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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713. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status the interim fire safety defects funding; if funding has now been approved; the amount and for what projects; and when all other approved developments can expect to be able to secure funding for the interim fire safety works. [46345/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Interim Remediation Scheme for Fire Safety Defects in Eligible Apartments and Duplexes (‘Scheme’) provides for the funding, through Owner Management Companies (OMCs), of emergency fire safety defect works in order to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in affected buildings pending completion of the full remedial works.

As of 31st December 2024, 193 applications to the Interim Remediation Scheme have been validated, meeting the required eligibility criteria, and are being progressed across 28 local authority areas, representing a total of 18,495 residential units, with circa 78% 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 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.

To support the implementation and increase the efficiency of the Scheme, four pathfinder projects are currently underway. The projects have been selected from applications made to the Scheme, representing 595 residential units. The pathfinder process is facilitating the development of templates and standards for documents to be prepared by CPs, including proposals for fire safety assessments, fire safety risk assessments, interim measures remedial work plans, and other project-related paperwork. The process has also allowed LAFS to engage in detail with CPs regarding the development of satisfactory remediation proposals.

Two of the pathfinder projects have completed their engagement with Local Authority Fire Services and have successfully advanced to Phase 4, awaiting confirmation of continued eligibility and the issue of a Grant Agreement.

There are currently no delays in funding being issued, subject to eligibility criteria and Grant Agreement conditions being met.

Applicant OMCs do not have to wait for the completion of the pathfinder projects to progress their applications, 191 of which have advanced to Phase 2/3.

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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714. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the retrospective funding for remediation of Celtic tiger era defects in multi-unit developments. [46346/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has approved the principle of allowing remediation costs already incurred or levied to be covered under the forthcoming statutory remediation scheme, once such costs fall within the scope and defined parameters of the latter. The details and mechanics of such retrospective funding are being addressed as the legislation is drafted. To this end, a pathfinder exercise from a representative sample of multi-unit developments has been established to identify and develop a potential appropriate process to address retrospective issues, based on fire safety remedial works completed.

Specifically, it will be necessary to fully examine and build a robust process around:

• Alignment with existing Interim Remediation Scheme process;
• Supporting Documentation and Timeframe;
• Certification, Standardisation of Evidence;
• Verification and Payment Processes.