1835. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether legal advice has been obtained regarding the eligibility of apartments arising from office-to-residential conversions under the interim remediation scheme and forthcoming legislation; and if he will outline the conclusions reached. [62097/26]

1836. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the Department has considered the fact that apartments created through the redevelopment of former office buildings were treated as new dwellings for purposes such as VAT, property registration and local property tax exemptions when determining eligibility under remediation schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter [62096/26]

1838. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the basis on which apartments constructed through the redevelopment of an existing building are treated differently, if at all, from apartments constructed on a greenfield site for the purposes of remediation supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62094/26]

1839. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether apartments that were newly constructed as part of the redevelopment of a former office building are excluded from the interim remediation scheme solely on the basis of the building's previous use; the legislative or policy basis for any such exclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter [62093/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1835, 1836, 1838 and 1839 together.

The Government decision of 18 January 2023 approved the development of supports for the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013.

The Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme Bill is expected to be published this year and the statutory scheme will be in place shortly thereafter. It is envisaged that 100% of eligible remediation costs will be funded.

Eligibility will be determined by reference to the scope of the scheme as approved by Government.

I recognise that developments which were lawfully converted to residential use may raise broader policy considerations in the context of apartment defects remediation and the safety and well-being of their residents. I have asked my Department to examine such developments in the context of the current work on the drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme legislation which I expect to publish shortly.

My Department continues to ensure that the development and implementation of remediation schemes are informed by appropriate legal and policy considerations.