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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Defective blocks mortgageability

Summary

Deputy Pringle raised concerns that homes remediated under the defective blocks scheme may still not be mortgageable. The Taoiseach said he would speak to the housing मंत्री and ask for a direct response.

A recent statement from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland regarding the mortgageability of homes remediated under the flawed defective blocks scheme says assurances regarding the future mortgageability of properties remediated under the grants scheme cannot be given by the banking sector alone, that future mortageability is dependent on the sign-off and certification by others of remediation works under the grant scheme, and that it requires assurances by engineers, valuers, surveyors, insurers, conveyancing solicitors and any other party involved in the conveyancing transaction process, as would be standard for any property. This matter underscores the need for a cross-sectoral response through the establishment of a dedicated oversight committee which the BPFI has formally requested of the Department of housing. Will the Taoiseach's Government establish a committee as envisaged by the BPFI? The redress focus groups also wrote to Ministers in early November requesting emergency funding for a support hub. Will the Government provide funding for that? Last of all, new research commissioned by the Department of housing now shows pyrrhotite oxidation and internal sulphate attack are the main causes of the degradation which also affects foundations and is not currently covered in the legislation. Will the Taoiseach commit to bringing forward legislation to cover them?

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I thank the Deputy, who has raised a number of important issues. It would not be right to make commitments on the floor of the Dáil, but I will certainly speak to the Minister for housing about the matter and ask him to get back to Deputy Pringle directly.

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