Dáil passes Defective Blocks Social Scheme despite strong criticism - Donegal Daily

Dail Eireann heard this evening that while the motion for approval of the Defective Concrete Blocks Social Homes Scheme may have been carried, it does not mean...

Dail Eireann heard this evening that while the motion for approval of the Defective Concrete Blocks Social Homes Scheme may have been carried, it does not mean it is widely endorsed.

The scheme was debated in the Dail, after the motion outlining its terms was introduced by Housing Minister James Browne.

The Minister said social properties impacted by defective concrete will receive the same remediation options as those covered under the current private housing scheme, including the same grant cap and damage threshold requirements.

He added that the department has engaged extensively with designated Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), as well as the Irish Council for Social Housing and their feedback has 'helped inform and shape the development of the scheme'.

While the scheme will replicate the private scheme, there are amendments to reflect the 'slightly different areas of social housing.'

Unlike the private housing scheme, the Housing Agency will have no role in the social housing scheme.

Instead, local authorities or AHBs will arrange building condition reports and engage with engineers to undertake a report in line with IS465 standard.

They will also engage a competent contractor and recoup any monies spent in remediating a dwelling from the Housing Department.

They will also be obliged to rehouse tenants, where necessary and this will be funded under the ancilliary grant element of the scheme.

Minister Browne noted the current review of the Act, following the publication of the new IS465 standard and said this may require changes to the current private scheme and the social housing scheme in the future.

He told the Dail that, with an estimated 2,400 units affected by defective concrete and based an average overall cost of 300,000 per dwelling, the overall cost of the social housing scheme is 728 million euro.

Min Browne said some local authorities have been preparing for the scheme 'for some time' and once the scheme is signed by Government, it will allow 'procurement to move ahead at pace'.

He added that the 'initial batch of homes' will be in progress in 2027 and these will allow the sector 'to learn from and to experience the optimum way to manage the process that, first and foremost, benefits tenants."

Min Browne said the department encourages each Local Authority or AHB to make 'full use of the resources available' and encouraged them to 'co-ordinate efforts to access other schemes and funding streams available.'

A number of TDs from the affected counties spoke during the debate, including Donegal TDs Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn, Deputy Charles Ward and Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher.

Sinn Fein Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn said the Minister has been 'listening to the wrong people'.

"You have been to Donegal and listened to some of the homeowners, but I think you're listening to the wrong people.

"I'd ask you to go back and engage with some of the affected homeowner groups and talk to more than your own party colleagues in the county."

Deputy MacLochlainn said the scheme was 'leaving huge amounts of people behind'.

"The reason you haven't introduced a fully-funded scheme, as you would with other Local Authority or AHB project is due to the failings of the original scheme.

"You know that if you publicly announce a fully-funded scheme for social houses, you will expose that it isn't 100% redress in the primary scheme.

"If you look at this, if you take it as read that Donegal County Council will have to go ahead with this, the match funding could potentially be 100 million euro."

Deputy MacLochlainn also said that introducing the scheme being introduced to the Dail was also 'in defiance of the science' and is based on a previous standard which 'is discredited'.

"You haven't consulted with local authorities. This hasn't got their fingerprints on it.

"We can't block it going through and we're not going to stop Local Authorities/AHBs going forward with this, but it is wrong."

An overriding theme of the debate was concern that Local Authorities and AHBs will be left with large funding shortfalls and how many questions are still to be answered.

These include queries over the rehousing of tenants, disposal costs and how the scheme will not cover the testing and replacement of foundations.

Sinn Fein's Eoin Ó Broin, the party's spokesperson for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, called on the Government to 'immediately' set up a working group, comprising of department officials, elected members from affected counties, local authorities and AHBs, as well as tenant representative bodies.

He told the Minister: "While we are not going to stand in the way of this motion, please do not take that as endorsing what you're doing - you're making a terrible mess."

Other matters raised by TDs from affected counties concerned governance, independent technical review and staffing capacities.

It was outlined that while they would not block the motion in order to allow a scheme and funding to progress, they had many concerns.

100% Redress Party TD Charles Ward said while he would be voting for the proposal, he was 'disappointed'

"There's a standard under review. We could have waited and got everything right, but we've got it now and have to go on."

Deputy Ward outlined how 174 homes have been remediated this year and approximately 260 last year.

He told how, at the current rate of remediation, it will 'take 200 or 300 years to get through the scheme.'

Deputy Ward also warned that warned that Donegal risks creating a “second waiting list” for people who already have a social home, unless the Government puts adequate resources, safeguards and accountability into the proposed scheme.

Deputy Ward said the scheme is a welcome step towards addressing defective concrete in local authority and Approved Housing Body housing stock, but that it must also address tenant rights, governance, independent technical review, staffing capacity, delivery timelines, transparency and accountability.

Deputy Ward also said the Government should ensure that the scheme provides every affected tenant with a named point of contact, clear information, defined timelines, appropriate temporary accommodation where required, independent technical review and a meaningful mechanism to raise concerns or challenge decisions.

Donegal Fianna Fail TD Pat the Cope Gallagher welcomed the scheme and said it was 'obvious the views' of the Local Authority/AHB members and officials were 'taken into consideration.'

He added that he had to 'make it very clear,' that in his 'view, this should be fully funded'.

"Under no circumstances could I accept Donegal County Council having to part fund or fund these schemes, because it would be an imposition on the rate payers and imposition on the council as a whole.

"Other Capital Schemes that required co-funding would be affected. In short, it is my strongly-held view it should be fully funded."

Deputy Gallagher said he hoped work on the 80 'shovel-ready' social homes in Donegal will 'start quickly.

Minister Browne thanked all for their remarks and said he acknowledged the pressures local authorities and AHBs- 'Donegal County Council in particular' are under.

He said his department has given a commitment to 'work hand in glove' with Donegal Count Council.,

Minister Browne added that his department will ensure councils and AHBs are supported, as needed.

He also told how he 'understands the impact' defective concrete has had on those impacted and has heard 'very real stories from homeowners and tenants'.

"The Government remains fully committed to supporting those affected by defective concrete blocks and has already provided significant funding."