77. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, given the increasing cost of building materials, he and his Department will consider increasing the maximum grant payable under the defective concrete blocks scheme so that homeowners are not left significantly out-of-pocket due to the potential mismatch between the maximum grant cap and the actual rebuild cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67425/26]

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.

Following updated cost reports from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and advice from the Expert Group established to consider the matter, increases in the grant scheme remediation rates were provided for over and above the original amounts contained upon commencement of the current grant scheme in 2023. Along with the rates the overall Scheme Cap increased by 10% from €420,000 to €462,000.

Section 11 of the Act allows the Government to further increase the rates and grant cap subject to certain conditions. There are no immediate plans to do so at present. However, my Department does keep the position under review.