Charles Ward Demands Timeline for I.S.465 Remediation Review
Charles Ward asked the Taoiseach for a clear timeline on when amending legislation following the publication of IS465 will be published, enacted and commenced. He pressed for urgent action as homeowners affected by defective concrete blocks have been waiting more than 18 months for determinations and remedies.
Timeline request: Charles Ward set out the immediate ask - a firm timetable for publication, enactment and commencement of amending legislation after I.S.465. He highlighted that the Act on remediation of dwellings affected by defective concrete blocks, Act 2022, requires a review to begin within three months of a new standard being published.
Homeowner impact: Ward reminded colleagues that many homeowners have been waiting over 18 months for decisions and that longstanding appeals must be determined without further delay. He also sought clarification on whether homeowners who previously recommended remediation measures under the original scheme, such as outer leaf replacement, will be entitled to a technical review under IS465.
Government response: In reply, the Taoiseach noted the statutory process and said the Minister for Housing intends to commence a review of the operation of the Act in the coming weeks. The Government confirmed the existing scheme can continue to operate for homeowners who have already received determinations and grant amounts under the former scheme.
Next steps: The Minister for Housing was asked to keep Charles Ward closely informed and to respond specifically on the question of technical reviews for certain remediation measures. The review of the Act is expected to be underway within weeks, according to the exchange recorded here.
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Last week I asked the Taoiseach when homeowners could be expected to review the remediation of Dwelling Act following the publication of IS465 to be completed. His response was that it could take approximately three months to report to the committee and the homeowners already know this. But can you give me a clear timeline when the necessary amending legislation will be published, enacted and communicated and commenced? Given that the science is now clear and the Government ensure that long-standing appeals for downgraded homeowners are determined without any further delay, they have been waiting over 18 months. Finally, replying to parliamentary questions suggested that homeowners who recommended remediation measures under the original scheme, such as outer leaf replacement, may be entitled to a review under the new IS465, but I have yet to receive clarification on this. Can you confirm that those homeowners will be entitled to a technical review? Thank you very much, Deputy Ward. I may have to ask the Minister to come back on some of the specifics, but I do know that the remediation of dwellings affected by the use of defective concrete blocks, Act 2022 sets out a clear process for what should happen when a new standard is made available and requires that a review of the operation of the Act commences within three months of that standard being published. The Minister for Housing now intends to commence a review of the operation of the Act in the coming weeks. I will ask him to keep in close contact with you on that. In the meantime, the scheme can continue to operate and fix homes for many homeowners who have already received a determination and a grant amount under the former scheme. I will ask the Minister to come back to you specifically on those questions. We hope that the review will be underway within weeks.
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