Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions
Dail Éireann — 2025-12-09
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Jack Chambers (FF), Dublin West

I thank the Deputy. The current Government and the previous one stepped up to support many households affected by defective concrete blocks. That is reflected in the increased allocation in recent years. Over 2025 funding increased by over 50% and following the Revised Estimates process, the budget for homes damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks increased by a further €60 million, bringing the revised allocation to €130 million. As the scheme ramps up, additional funding will be provided to support the households who are progressing through the scheme.
The Government is also making sure the scheme is designed and delivered in a manner that meets the real needs of homeowners in an efficient and fair manner. I know the Deputy asked about the appeals process. Appeals are covered by a statutory process under the appeals panel, led by a senior counsel and with experts from the legal and engineering professions appointed by the Minister under a clear and transparent process managed by the Public Appointments Service. The appeals system is an independent statutory function under the 2022 legislation and it has now begun to issue the terminations to appellants and has accelerated its work in recent weeks.
Section 39 of the Act states that:
Where it is considers it necessary for the purpose of ensuring fair procedures in the consideration of an appeal, the Appeal Board may require a party of the appeal to provide the Appeal Board ... such further information in writing as the Appeal Board considers necessary, and ... [they will be] given an opportunity to make submissions in relation to that information.
The appeal board has been writing to the Housing Agency seeking clarification in some instances in an effort to assist homeowners in their cases. We have clear statutory provisions. It is independent, which is important to keep the fairness and integrity in the appeals mechanism within the scheme.
The programme for Government also commits to undertaking a planned review of the legislation underpinning the scheme. This refers to the fact that the legislation mandates the Minister to review the scheme within three years of the Act's commencement, so that is by July 2026. All aspects of the Act will be kept under review, including the appeals process. If changes are required they may be made then, and not through the current amendment Bill which is focused on other matters at this time, particularly increasing the amount of money paid to homeowners.
We have a clear and transparent process that is set out and reflected in the legislation. If you take the procedures that are set out and the nomination process that is guided through that, it is important that that is allowed to do its work in the context of appeals that are made.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2025-12-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:26+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-09