Questions

651. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role of his Department in determining or influencing the operation of the Defective Concrete Blocks Appeals Panel, including its terms of reference, appointment process, funding, staffing levels, procedures and timelines; whether, in view of this role, he accepts that the administration and operation of the panel must remain su…

723. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm the origin of guidance issued by the Housing Agency stating that homeowners cannot avail of a full technical review following the revision of the I.S. 465 following an appeal and adjudication by the Appeals Panel; whether this guidance was issued at the direction of, or with the approval of, his Department; and whether h…

724. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason guidance regarding access to technical reviews was issued only to homeowners whose remediation options were downgraded after 6 November 2024; whether different rules apply to homeowners depending on the date of downgrade; and how this approach is consistent with principles of fairness and equal treatment under the defect…

612. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role local authorities will have in conducting or contributing to technical reviews of applications under the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme; to specify the nature of that role; the expertise to be applied; whether local authorities will be acting independently or on behalf of the Housing Agency; and if he will make a stateme…

613. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which independence will be ensured in the technical review process for homeowners dissatisfied with determinations under the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme, particularly where a review may be carried out by the same body, or an associated body, involved in the original determination; and if he will make a statement on …

614. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the difference in function, authority and outcome between the statutory independent appeals process, and the proposed technical review process; to confirm whether a technical review constitutes a new determination, a re-assessment, or an advisory exercise only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5573/26]

615. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether details of the technical review process, including who conducts it, governance arrangements, and decision-making criteria, will be published in advance of homeowners being invited to participate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5574/26]

616. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the anticipated completion date for the review of IS,465; the expected timeline for the commencement of the technical review application process following its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5575/26]

633. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify, in respect of the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, whether the 78-week timeframe applicable to the determination of appeals continues to run where an appeal is paused or cannot be progressed pending the completion of a technical review arising from the ongoing revision of I.S. 465; if he will further clarify whet…

634. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether, under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the way in which the statutory 78-week timeframe for appeals is suspended where an appeal cannot be determined pending a technical review linked to the revision of I.S. 465; whether this position has been communicated to the housing agency and local authorities; and if no s…

156. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the rates per square metre under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme have not been reviewed since the introduction of the enhanced scheme in 2023, despite significant construction cost inflation; if he will commit to an immediate review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4664/26]

83. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the tendering and procurement process currently in place for the appointment of building professionals to carry out building condition assessments under the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme; the way in which tenders are invited, evaluated and awarded; the criteria used in assessing submissions; to provide a list of th…

1450. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the proposed apartment, duplex and multi-unit dwelling remediation scheme will provide for the remediation of all multi-unit developments impacted by defective concrete; the anticipated timeline for enactment of the legislation and commencement of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1556/26]

1486. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the consideration of letters of recommendation submitted by local authorities in regard to the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme; to confirm when such letters of recommendation submitted by Meath County Council and Wexford County Council will be processed; whether a submission from Louth County …

562. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will urgently examine the situation facing community childcare in County Donegal, many community-based early-years services are severely affected by defective concrete; the specific supports available or that will be made available, to early-years and childcare facilities whose buildings have been structurally compromised; an…

503. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address an emerging issue affecting landlords who own dwellings approved under the defective concrete blocks scheme; if he will confirm whether such landlords will be able to issue a notice of termination to facilitate essential demolition and rebuild works after the new residential tenancies legislation comes into effec…

262. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the review of costings (details supplied) that underpin the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme; if he accepts that these costings are now significantly out of date given current construction inflation and market conditions; and if he will confirm when the long-overdue re-evaluation of th…

980. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm whether the homeowner liaison officer appointed under the defective concrete blocks scheme has ever met with affected homeowners in a formal consultative structure, either in person or virtually; if not, the reason such engagement has not taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57747/25]

981. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of any formal mechanisms, structures, or processes in place for affected homeowners to provide input, feedback, or recommendations to his Department or the defective concrete blocks implementation steering group; if none exist, the reason homeowners are excluded from these decision-making processes; and if he wil…

982. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide copies of all emails, meeting notes, correspondence, or briefing documents generated by or submitted to the homeowner liaison officer regarding interactions with affected homeowners since the Officer's appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57749/25]

983. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the means by which his Department ensures accountability and transparency in the operation of the defective concrete blocks scheme, given that the homeowner liaison officer has not formally engaged with homeowners in any structured meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57750/25]

984. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the official terms of reference, remit, and reporting lines for the homeowner liaison officer; to confirm whether the officer has any authority to influence decision-making, escalate issues, or ensure that homeowners' concerns are addressed in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57751/25]

985. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify whether the homeowner liaison officer participates in the defective concrete blocks implementation steering group or any of its sub-groups; whether the officer is empowered to represent the views of homeowners in these forums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57752/25]

986. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department intends to publish the activities, meetings, or outputs of the homeowner liaison officer; whether a regular report on engagement with homeowners will be made publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57753/25]

990. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given that the structural risks associated with defective concrete, including pyrrhotite and sulphate attack, are already scientifically established, the reason his Department has not suspended partial remediation and implemented immediate, full, State-managed remediation to protect homeowners from ongoing structural, financial and…