Vol. 1060 No. 1
I move:
That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft:
Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (Section 11) Order 2024,
a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 8th October, 2024.
Is that agreed?
Not agreed. I raised my concerns at the Business Committee and will do so again now. The proposed increase of 10% is welcome, and the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, knows from his own county that people have been waiting on this, but he also knows that there are homeowners who are going through or have completed the scheme. The original scheme transitioned to the new scheme and the principle to date has been for early starters – people who were forced to go onto the scheme to remediate their homes – not to be punished and to instead benefit from the increased grants. That principle is to be established again, but we do not have a date for the amendment’s introduction. I am concerned that this motion will be passed by the Dáil even though we do not have a clear date. The fear among homeowners is that, if the election is called, this situation could go on for months. New entrants can avail of the 10% increase in the cap, but those who are already going through the scheme are struggling with large gaps of tens or hundreds of thousands of euro. Will the Minister of State provide us a date? This could be done next week. When will we have the date?
Can a date be given?
The Minister, Deputy O’Brien, will publish the conditions next week.
Is the motion agreed?
On the basis of that commitment, it is agreed.
