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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Defective concrete block legislation

Summary

Rose Conway-Walsh presses for legislation updating grant rates and completion timelines for defective concrete block homes; the Minister says it is a Government priority being prepared for publication.

I want to talk to the Minister about the defective concrete block legislation once again. We have been back for three weeks. Each week I look at the programme for the week and each week my colleague Deputy Mac Lochlainn, the Sinn Féin Whip, asks for the legislation to come before us here, to the House, to be able to be dealt with.

We are in a situation where homeowners are still waiting for the updated grant rates and the increased timeframe for completion to be applicable retrospectively to all applicants. It is not acceptable. We showed them in June. We said exactly what needed to be done to bring this legislation to the floor of the Dáil. Homeowners are stuck in this limbo where they cannot get the increased rates.

I hope the Whip behind the Minister has some answers on this, maybe that it will come, but we absolutely need this to be brought to the floor. We in the Opposition, and this goes across all Opposition parties, will move heaven and earth, once it comes onto the floor of the Dáil, to make sure that it goes through quickly.

We have waited far too long for this legislation.

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In fact, Deputy Ward raised this issue with me last week. I answered him by stating that it is on the priority list for publication. It is important legislation from the Government’s point of view. It is being worked upon. I am informed by the Chief Whip that it is not as simple as may be presented. I will certainly speak to the Minister, Deputy Browne, in respect of it. He appreciates the urgency of it. Since it is on the priority list for publication, I think it should be forthcoming promptly.

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