Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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209. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an overview of the legislation he plans to introduce to ensure that those who were already approved for defective concrete block grants can retrospectively benefit from the 10% grant increase which was announced in autumn 2024; when this legislation will be introduced in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5387/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) was commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.

Following updated cost reports from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and advice from the Expert Group established to consider the matter, a further increase was provided for on 23 October 2024 through (S.I. 577 of 2024). The Scheme Cap has risen by 10% to €462,000. An increase in the scheme grant rates of between 7.4% and 8.7% that are set out in the 2023 Regulations was also approved on 7 November 2024. (S.I. No. 621 of 2024).

The Act provides that any increase in the scheme cap or grant rates will apply to eligible relevant owners that are yet to receive a determination in respect of remediation option and grant amount. My Department sought legal advice that confirmed that extending these increases to a wider group of relevant owners requires amending the Act. My Department is currently progressing this matter and will move as expediously as possible on implementing this legislative change.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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210. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the technical review of I.S. 465 regarding the defective concrete block scheme will commence; when the review is likely to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5394/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) was commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.

As Ireland’s official Standards Body, The National Standards Authority Ireland (NSAI) has been tasked with the review of I.S. 465. The NSAI have published an update outlining the status of the review of I.S. 465, details of which can be found at www.nsai.ie/about/news/status-of-review-of-i.s-465-13th-december-2024/. I understand that they intend to go out to public consultation on a revised standard in Q1 of this year and that this will help to inform the completion of the review process as soon as is practicable thereafter in line with the normal procedures followed by the Authority.