Defective blocks scheme
Deputy Mac Lochlainn pressed for full scrutiny of the updated defective blocks scheme, warning that families had been let down repeatedly and public money was at stake. The Taoiseach said the Government was expanding the scheme, wanted the legislation progressed, and argued that the Deputy needed to be honest about the need for urgency and scrutiny.
The Cabinet signed off today on the updated defective blocks scheme, which we are told will cost up to €2.7 billion. For the life of me, I cannot understand why the Government has not clearly said there will be full scrutiny of the legislation, given that €2.7 billion of taxpayers' money is involved. In 2020, as the Taoiseach knows, we had a so-called 90:10 scheme, which was a false dawn for all the families in counties Donegal and Mayo. In 2021, we had the introduction of a sliding scale. Families have been let down again and again. Will the Government work with the families to ensure proper scrutiny and that the legislation, at last, delivers 100% redress, is based on actual science and ensures taxpayers' money is spent prudently?
Comment on this
The Government has decided today to expand the scheme even further to include counties Clare and Limerick and to take on board the recommendations from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, SCSI. It is time to move on this. One day, the Deputy will come in here and attack the Government for delaying. The next day, he will come in and - let us be honest about it - refer to scenarios that could create-----
Comment on this
I am just saying this straight up because the Deputy needs to be honest with people too. He should not come back to me next December saying the Government has done nothing on this because the legislation still has not been passed by the House. I am open to progressing this. I want honesty and transparency in the legislative process.
Comment on this
Is the Taoiseach agreeing to scrutiny?
Comment on this
Are you agreeing to scrutiny?
Comment on this
I am simply saying that the Minister is very clear in what he has said to the homeowners. When I went to County Donegal and met people, they were complaining about delays in getting houses rebuilt.
Comment on this
They wanted urgency in getting houses started. I understand 300 houses have been identified by Donegal County Council on which a start could be made. We need to get going, particularly on the houses that are most damaged and are not habitable at the moment. We need to get them demolished and rebuilt.