148. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the legislative timeline for the introduction of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41992/24]

My Department has been advancing the steps to put a scheme for the remediation of eligible defects in apartments and duplexes constructed between 1991-2013 on a statutory footing as a matter of priority.

Given the complexity of the issues, including the significant amount of Exchequer funding that this Government has committed to assist affected homeowners, sufficient time for drafting the legislation is required to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for taxpayers' money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures.

The Heads of the General Scheme have been circulated and on 18 September 2024, I received Government approval for:

1. the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024 along the lines of the General Scheme;

2. authorisation to arrange for the referral of the General Scheme to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage for pre-legislative scrutiny; and

3. further amendments to the General Scheme that I deem appropriate on the advice of the Attorney General.

It is expected the draft legislation will be published before the end of this year and that, subject to the legislative process, the statutory scheme will be in place shortly thereafter.