Monaghan Senator Robbie Gallagher says he is "hopeful" that a Remediation Scheme for defective apartment blocks will be in place later this year.
According to Senator Gallagher, in January 2023, the Government announced its approval of draft legislation to support the remediation of apartments and duplexes constructed between 1991 and 2013 and affected by fire safety, structural safety and water ingress issues.
It is estimated that between 50% and 80% of all apartments and duplexes constructed in Ireland during that period may be affected, which Senator Gallagher says is "staggering."
Only properties with defects that are attributed to defective design, defective or faulty workmanship, defective materials or any combination of these and that were in contravention of the relevant parts of the building regulations applicable at the time of construction will be eligible for inclusion in this scheme.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Senator Gallagher revealed that on 11 December 2023, an interim remediation scheme was launched to cater for any apartments or duplexes with fire safety issues, however this has since been stalled.
As a result of this, Senator Gallagher took the opportunity in the Seanad to ask The Minister of State where matters stand at the moment.
In relation to the update, Senator Gallagher told Northern Sound; "Draft legislation is working its way through in the hope of having a scheme in situ before the end of this calendar year. He also confirmed that in the meantime there is an interim scheme for the same apartments and duplexes that would have fire safety issues so they are prioritising those and they are inviting owner management companies who would act of behalf of these homeowners to apply to the department to seek funding to rectify the fire safety issues, which is obviously very important."
