This is a question for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy. Once again it unfortunately relates to the lack of progress and delivery on a redress scheme for the estimated 5,000 homeowners in Donegal and Mayo affected by mica. I raised this with the Minister of State, Deputy English, before the Easter recess. He indicated that he hoped the scheme would go before that week's Cabinet meeting or last week's Cabinet meeting. Not surprisingly, however, we are unfortunately still without a scheme.

The 2019 budget committed to such a scheme. The Minister said he hoped to have a scheme published before Christmas, with houses being fixed by the start of the year. That was 211 days ago and still no scheme has been published. Homeowners are fed up and they need an answer soon. Can the Minister outline the situation to us today? Moreover, I call on him to get on with the job and confirm today that he actually will publish the scheme, so that we can get on with building and fixing houses.

The question qualifies as it pertains to a Governmental promise.

I thank the Deputy. We have discussed this a number of times. It was my intention to bring the scheme to a Cabinet meeting during the recess. That did not happen, but that does not mean that progress has not been made. During the last two weeks there have been several contacts between myself and the Minister for Finance on this issue. This morning I met officials and requested the latest version of the scheme that we have drawn up, which I hope to take to Cabinet next week. That is my hope, but I am working with forces outside my control to get this over the line. I appreciate Deputy McConalogue's patience on this issue.