251. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the situation regarding retrospection should there be an increase in the cap under the defective blocks scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27284/24]

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.

A review mechanism is provided within the Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Act 2022, which allows me, as Minister, to increase the overall grant scheme cap of €420,000 a year after the Act has been commenced by no more than 10%, in accordance with the conditions of Section 11 of the Act. My Department has asked the Expert Group, originally established to advise on a number of technical issues prior to the introduction of the Scheme, to reconvene shortly, to examine the issue and advise me accordingly.

My Department has sought legal advice on what cohort of applicants an increased cap will apply to, in the event that such a recommendation is made.