Two weeks ago, the Government approved legislation to amend the defective concrete scheme to allow for retrospective payments, extend the timeframes and include new provisions for vulnerable families. I voiced my opposition to the fixing of a cut-off date of 29 March 2024 for the increased scheme cap and the updated grant rate, as I believe it is extremely unfair and will leave a number of families behind. I hope this can be considered when the Government is drafting the Bill. The Bill is well overdue. Impacted homeowners are desperately waiting for its implementation. I cannot stress the urgency of this enough. I get calls every day from distressed families wondering when the legislation will come in so that they can pay their bills and move forward in life. When will the legislation be published? Will it be published before the summer recess? Will the Tánaiste commit to ensuring that it is passed as soon as possible?

I thank Deputy Ward for the constructive way in which he has been engaging on this issue on behalf of his constituents in Donegal. I am pleased with some of the progress that we have been able to make together after the Minister, Deputy Browne, worked intensively with Deputy Ward's constituents and the advocacy groups in Donegal. I will ask the Minister to reflect on the Deputy's point regarding the cut-off date. I will also ask him to come back to the Deputy about the publication of the Bill and the timeline. The Government is certainly eager to get this done as quickly as possible. We are conscious of the severe stress and frustration that people are living under.