Boost for Mayo families locked in 'defective blocks' battle

Minister Dara Calleary has welcomed government agreement to allow for retrospective payments under the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme.

He stated: “I am very happy to confirm that Cabinet has agreed for legislation to now be prioritised to ensure homeowners that have incurred eligible scheme costs since March 29 2024 can benefit from the increased grant amounts announced late last year.

“Last October, the government increased the amount a homeowner can receive under the scheme by 10% from €420,000 to €462,000.

"Similarly, the per square metre rates that are used in the scheme to calculate the grant amount were also increased in November 2024 by between 7.4% and 8.7%.

"However, currently these increases only apply to eligible homeowners yet to receive a determination in respect of remediation option and grant amount.

"In other words, some homeowners who have been impacted by higher construction costs cannot receive this increase.

"Under the changes, proposed by Minister Browne, eligible homeowners in Mayo and other affected counties will now be entitled to apply for the higher amounts.

"This is something I have been advocating for and I am pleased to have it moved one step closer.

“Along with details around retrospective payments, the Bill will include several amendments to assist in the improved running of the scheme including:

"Side-by-side construction: The proposed changes will provide for the scheme to fund the construction of a new dwelling adjacent to the original defective home in very limited circumstances for specific homeowner families.

"Period to complete works is extended: The changes will increase the time allowed to complete remediation works from 65 weeks to 130 weeks and the advance notice period for the extension to this period goes from 12 weeks to 2 weeks,” he said.