Defective concrete block scheme
Deputy Pearse Doherty criticised the defective concrete block grant scheme as failing to deliver full redress, citing low take-up and few homes receiving full grants. The Taoiseach disputed the figures, said more applications had been received, and undertook to get the Minister to clarify the exact numbers.
Yesterday, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, told RTÉ that the defective concrete block grant is taking hold across the affected region. This will come as a big surprise to affected homeowners in my county of Donegal, and in Mayo, Clare and elsewhere. Figures released by the Minister last week to Deputy Ó Broin flatly contradicted his claim. To date, just 54 homes have received a full grant. Since the revised scheme opened last summer, only 236 homeowners have applied. The scheme is not working. It does not provide 100% redress. The amendments proposed by the homeowners in 2022 would have improved the scheme but instead the Taoiseach and his Government colleagues voted them down. Clearly the scheme is not delivering. Will the Taoiseach return to the homeowners' amendment and finally provide them with 100% redress? They have done nothing wrong. Their homes have crumbled around them and they are still crumbling around them and they need action.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy. I am told that over 1,600 applications have been received for the old scheme and 236 for the enhanced scheme until the end of December but that over 300 have received grants of the higher rate under the new scheme. I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy with the exact figures.
Comment on this
I have the figures. It is not working.