The Minister for Housing James Browne has gained government approval to allow for retrospective payments under the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme.
Homeowners who have incurred eligible scheme costs since 29 March 2024 will now benefit from the increased grant amounts announced late last year.
Last October, the Government increased the amount a homeowner can receive under the scheme by 10% from €420,000 to €462,000. Similarly, the per square metre rates that are used in the scheme to calculate the grant amount were also increased in November 2024 by between 7.4% and 8.7%.
Those increases only applied to eligible homeowners yet to receive a determination in respect of remediation option and grant amount. This leaves homeowners who have been impacted by higher construction costs unable to receive this increase.
Under the Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill, eligible homeowners will now be entitled to apply for the higher amounts.
The Bill will include several other amendments to assist in the improved running of the scheme including:
- Side-by-side construction: The proposed changes will provide for the scheme to fund the construction of a new dwelling adjacent to the original defective home in very limited circumstances for specific homeowner families.
- Period to complete works is extended: The changes will increase the time allowed to complete remediation works from 65 weeks to 130 weeks and the advance notice period for the extension to this period goes from 12 weeks to 2 weeks.
Minister Browne said: “I made it a priority to visit Donegal as soon as it was possible after my appointment as the new Minister for Housing. I met with some of the homeowners impacted by the use of defective concrete blocks in the construction of their homes, as well as advocacy groups, the council committee on the issue, and the council executive.
“I witnessed at first-hand the difficulties faced by these affected households in financial and personal terms in recent years. The improvements I am introducing today will secure fairness, ensuring every eligible homeowner can now access the improved financial support from the Government, irrespective of their original remediation and grant determination date. It had to be sorted.”
The Minister for Housing James Browne made his first official visit to Donegal on May. Photo: James Browne TD
Minister Browne added; “I have listened to homeowners across Donegal and heard the particular challenges they have faced with certain elements of the scheme. I believe the package of measures we intend to bring forward through legislation will address some of the concerns raised so that homeowners will continue to have confidence in the scheme and know that they are being supported by the Government.”
100% Redress Party TD Charles Ward said: “This announcement marks a welcome shift towards a more realistic approach. The increased cap, extended timeframes, and new provisions for vulnerable families are long overdue and will make a real difference for many.”
Deputy Ward said that the adjustments reflect some recognition of the real life challenges faced by impacted homeowners and communities.
He has again called on Government to also acknowledge the many other failings of the scheme and to ensure that the final outcome of the I.S. 465:202X review leads to a fully science-led and fair scheme.
