Vulnerable homeowners 'should receive support' to access DCB scheme - Taoiseach
An Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said in Dail Eireann that homeowners should receive support in accessing the Enhanced Defective Concrete Grant Scheme - particularly those who are vulnerable or elderly.
The Taoiseach was responding to a question from 100% Redress Party TD Deputy Charles Ward, who asked if the Government will 'amend the Remediation of Dwelling Act 2022 to provide a State-led rebuilding option for vulnerable homeowners who cannot negotiate or navigate the scheme'.
Cllr Ward also asked if the Government would consider a 'public body or State construction company, taking responsibility for rebuilding homes, where people do not have the physical, financial or emotional capacity to do so?'
He told the Dail how he is aware of an 82-year-old man in Donegal, living with dementia, who is 'facing a nightmare' in navigating the scheme.
The man's wife has passed away.
Cllr Ward said: "He has worked all his life, contributed to society, done everything expected of him.
"Instead of living his life in the last years, in comfort, he's trapped in a nightmare where he can't go forward."
Cllr Ward said the man is facing the 'impossible task of negotiating engineers, contractors, finances and building' and outlined how he is 'one example of where people are stuck'.
He asked the Taoiseach: "Do you accept that vulnerable and elderly people urgently need the State to provide a practical route to a safe home - they cannot have the ability to do it themselves, they need help."
In response, the Taoiseach replied that he will 'certainly' refer the matter to the Minister for Housing.
He added that there has been 'significant progress' with the scheme and stated that 3,500 applications have been received and 1,289 applicants have commenced remedial works.
The Taoiseach added that 527 homes have completed remediation and 1462 have submitted remedial works.
He outlined how the Government has spent 'about €322M on the scheme, so far.'
The Taoiseach told Deputy Ward that 'of course, people should get support in facilitating them to access the scheme, particularly those who are vulnerable and elderly'.
He highlighted how there have been 'ongoing amendments in respect of the Act and in terms of legislative framework that governs the defective block programme'.
"I will talk to the Minister about the issues that you raised."
Speaking afterwards on social media, Deputy Ward said the 100% Redress Party will 'keep on pushing'.
He described the discourse with the Taoiseach as 'a positive engagement'.
Funded by the News Reporting Scheme.