341. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homeowners transferring from the old scheme to the new scheme under the defective blocks legislation who are due money back; the number who have been paid to date; to give an indication as to when the homeowners who are owed money will be reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22421/24]

I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.

Local authorities have responsibility for the administration of the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme. This includes the initial validation of applications, notifying homeowners of the Housing Agency's determinations on damage threshold, the appropriate remediation option and grant amount, determination of the grant payable for alternative accommodation and storage costs and immediate repair works and the subsequent payment of grants to successful applicants.

Data of the type requested is not routinely held by my Department. Any queries relating to the scheme administration, in particular the payment of grants, should be raised directly with the local authority concerned.