Thomas Pringle TD

Dáil Question: How much was in the Budget 2020 for the Mica Redress Scheme?

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For Written Answer on : 15/10/2019
Question Number(s): 642 Question Reference(s): 42167/19
Department: Housing, Planning and Local Government
Asked by: Thomas Pringle T.D.
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QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Housing; Planning and Local Government the amount of additional funding allocated from Budget 2020 to the mica redress scheme; when the funding will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

Last year, the Government agreed in principle to introduce a scheme to support affected homeowners in the counties of Donegal and Mayo to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been significantly damaged due to defective concrete blocks.

Budget 2020 provides funding of €40 million to fund  the operation  of the Pyrite remediation scheme and this new scheme to address the issues identified in Donegal and Mayo, with an initial provision of €20m for the new scheme.

Funding for future years will be agreed on an annual basis as part of the normal Estimates process.

The full terms and conditions of the scheme are currently being finalised in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, including the development of the necessary regulations.

This process takes account of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements with regard to data processing arrangements and the engagement that my Department is currently having with both Donegal and Mayo County Councils, who will operate and administer the scheme.

In this regard, my Department continues to meet with both local authority teams to conclude implementation arrangements for the scheme, including the development of administrative guidelines, application forms and associated documents. Further engagement will take place over the coming weeks.

The aim will be to complete the outstanding work without delay in order to ensure that the scheme can get underway as early as possible.