367. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether properties owned or operated by an approved housing body (AHB), including supported accommodation, rehabilitation centres, and other residential facilities provided by an AHB for housing or care-related purposes, are eligible for assistance under The Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024; whether such properties are considered “dwellings” for the purposes of the scheme; whether any exclusions apply to AHB-operated properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54420/26]

Government approval was received on 18 September 2024 for the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill (‘the Bill’). The purpose of this legislation is to place the defects remediation scheme on a statutory footing, further to commitments contained in the Programme for Government.

The scheme will provide supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013.

It is intended that AHB-owned residential apartments and duplexes will be included within the scheme. However, buildings which do not fall within the meaning of apartment or duplex as defined within the Bill, will not be included in or eligible for remediation under the scheme. Drafting of the Bill is well progressed and I intend to publish the Bill in early course.