739. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether properties that were utilised as pilot properties under the defective concrete blocks scheme, and which have already been confirmed as containing defective concrete blocks, can proceed directly to the determination of the appropriate remediation option without any further testing requirements; and if not, whether legislative amendments are required to facilitate such progression. [65489/26]

740. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of the pilot properties/houses being used in connection with the implementation or assessment of the revised defective concrete framework, including the number and location of properties involved, the local authorities concerned, the nature of the testing or assessment undertaken. [65486/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 739 and 740 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.

I understand the Question refers to dwellings which have been used by the Housing Agency to inform their process in making reports to me regarding the designation of new local authority areas under the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.

It is my understanding that where the testing undertaken on these properties is deemed as sufficient under I.S. 465:2026 then no further testing is required but it is ultimately a matter for the Housing Agency to determine.

Reports compiled by the Housing Agency, and submitted to me as Minister regarding the local authorities who have recently joined the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme and which contain further details on the testing process and the properties tested during the initial designation process, can be sought by the Deputy through the usual channels.