704. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm that no homeowner will be disadvantaged under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme solely because their original determination was made under an earlier version of I.S. 465 or because they are now outside an appeal period that applied before the introduction of the current technical review process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64889/26]

705. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which homeowners whose recommended remediation option was subsequently downgraded are being dealt with; if such cases will be automatically reassessed under I.S. 465:2026; if affected homeowners must separately request a review; and if that the statutory appeal period has been paused for these homeowners. [64888/26]

710. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the approach being taken by the Housing Agency in respect of historical damage assessments under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme (details supplied); the way in which such cases will be reconsidered in light of the revised I.S. 465:2026 and the current technical review process. [64883/26]

711. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homeowners under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme whose original determination was made under an earlier version of I.S. 465 and who were assessed as either falling below the threshold for demolition or qualifying for a lower remediation option; whether the Housing Agency has reviewed these cases in light of I.S. 465:2026 and the operation of the current technical review process; the mechanism available to homeowners who are now outside the statutory appeal period; and whether affected homeowners will be proactively identified and contacted by the Housing Agency. [64894/26]

717. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the options available to homeowners under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme who received a determination under an earlier version of I.S. 465 that resulted in a lower remediation option than may be applicable under I.S. 465:2026, but whose statutory appeal period has since expired; whether such homeowners are eligible to seek a technical review; and the process for doing so. [64998/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 704, 705, 710, 711 and 717 together.

The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 as amended by the Act of 2025 underpins the Grant Scheme which provides grant funding to people whose homes have been affected by Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB).

A number of amendments contained in the 2025 Act came into operation on 25 February 2026 and more recently further provisions commenced on 27 May 2026.

The National Standards Authority Ireland (NSAI) on 2 June 2026 published a revised standard, I.S. 465:2026.

As per section 51 of the 2022 DCB Act, a review of the operation of the Act has now been commenced and is being carried out by my Department with the assistance of external expertise. The 2022 Act mandates that not later than 3 months after the completion of this review that I, as Minister, make a report to each House of the Oireachtas of my findings and conclusions resulting from that review.

Homeowners who received a determination under the previous standard (I.S. 465:2018) and either have not started works or paused works as of 6 November 2024, upon commencement of Section 17 of the Act of 2025, may choose to:

• Apply through their designated local authority for a review of their approved remediation option under the revised standard, I.S. 465:2026 (excluding aspects of the revised standard which are under review); or

• Wait for the outcome of the review of the Scheme and the Act before proceeding.

In terms of the appeal process the 2025 amendments provide that periods shall be suspended from the date an application is made by a relevant owner for a Review of Approved Remediation Option.

The suspension of these periods remains unless the application for a review of an approved remediation option and remediation option grant is refused by either the Local Authority or the Housing Agency.

My Department is working closely with the Housing Agency and local authorities to ensure that homeowners at different stages of the scheme know what these changes mean for them and the Housing Agency recently issued a statement on their website regarding an update for homeowners: www.housingagency.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-What-This-Means-for-Homeowners-FINAL_V4.pdf. The information contained in this document clearly explains how homeowners at different stages of the scheme may progress at this time.