Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme to provide grants up to €420,000

An enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme has been announced.

This scheme will provide financial support to affected homeowners in counties Donegal, Mayo, Limerick and Clare whose dwelling had been damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks in its construction. Grants of up to €420,000 are available for affected homeowners depending on the works required under the scheme.

The Scheme is now open to new applications. Transitional arrangements for the transfer of applicants from the current scheme to the new scheme are in place. Existing applicants to the original scheme will also be able to benefit retrospectively from the enhancements being introduced under the new scheme.

Key features of the Scheme include:

• 100% grants subject to an overall maximum grant of €420,000 per dwelling,
• grant rates in keeping with advice from SCSI,
• a government guarantee in the form of a second grant option if required for a period of 40 years,
• a revised application process which removes the financial barrier to scheme entry,
• an independent appeals process for applicants,
• alternative accommodation and storage costs and immediate repair works to a maximum value of €25,000,
• the expertise of the Housing Agency in assessing applications,
• the inclusion of RTB registered rental properties,
• the inclusion of Clare and Limerick in the enhanced scheme upon commencement and the option for other counties to enter the scheme
• exempt development status for like for like remediation works completed under the scheme.

“I am really pleased to be able to launch this much needed scheme today. I know the difficulties faced by affected households in financial and personal terms has been very significant these past number of years,” Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’ Brien TD. “The improved package of measures under this considerably enhanced scheme will mark a new beginning for those who need to remediate their homes.”

The enhanced scheme has been legislated for following extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders. Minister O’Brien in acknowledging the efforts, patience and diligence of all involved stated:

“I particularly want to thank the affected homeowners for working with my Department and their County Councils on the development of the enhanced scheme. I feel through their constructive and helpful engagement we have managed to develop a Scheme that can, and will deliver for all concerned.

“I look forward to continuing this positive working relationship. To this end I have asked my Department to establish, without delay, an Implementation Steering Group made up of officials from the relevant local authorities, the Department, the Housing Agency and the Homeowner’s Liaison Officer to ensure the successful roll-out of the enhanced scheme.

“I have also asked the implementation steering group to provide me with a first report of the operation of the scheme after six months. I have always said that schemes evolve and this one will be no different. Given the complex nature of the scheme it will be important to keep the operation of the regulations and guidelines under review. The Implementation Steering Group will be tasked with working through issues as they arise and to make recommendations to me if further changes to the regulations or guidelines are needed”.

Information on the application process for first-time applicants and homeowners who applied under the previous scheme can be found at the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme website.

Documents providing detailed information on the process, including guidelines to facilitate, promote and support a consistent approach to the operation and administration of the scheme are available on that page. Homeowners are strongly advised and encouraged to read these in advance of reaching out to local authorities. The answers to most questions will be found quite quickly in the 'Your Questions Answered' document.

For Donegal County Council and Mayo County Council new applications to the scheme will be processed in tandem with progressing applications from homeowners who have applied under the previous scheme. Both Councils are working as quickly as possible to process applications and applicants continued patience is requested. 

It will be a matter for the local authority in question to decide on how to prioritise the finalisation of existing applications. They may use appropriate variations of any or all of the criteria referred to above with regard to the Housing Agency. They may also wish to take into account the stage at which an existing application is at in terms of works completed and expenditure incurred by an applicant etc.