36. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the defects remediation scheme for apartment owners. [35765/25]

Sentiment score: -0.13

We know this is a crucially important matter, given that defects were first detected in 2011. The scheme is intended to cover apartments and duplexes built between 1991 and 2013. I accept that an interim remediation scheme was introduced, but this was for the first of the fire safety defects, which still leaves thousands of apartments in need of remedial works. Families are being raised in some of these apartments. Many of these homeowners are in my constituency and have been in touch to express their concern. I am sure the Minister has heard from a lot of the homeowners himself. Children are being raised in substandard conditions with problems such as water ingress, less serious fire hazards and structural defects. Will he confirm how many apartments have had remediation work carried out under the interim scheme? What is the latest estimate for the number of apartments and duplexes that will require remediation in total? Will he provide an estimation of when all of the work on all affected apartments and duplexes will be completed?

Sentiment score: -0.10

It was recently reported in the media that the remediation scheme will not come into effect until 2027. Will he give an assurance that this is not the case and that the scheme will actually commence in 2026? We cannot have a repeat of the defective blocks scheme fiasco, the details of which we do not need to go into. Will he guarantee there will be 100% redress for all apartment and duplex owners? Will he guarantee there will be a full refund scheme for anyone who has had to undertake remediation works at his or her own expense while waiting for the scheme to commence? The latest update we received on this was that the Government had agreed in principle to give 100% refunds. Will he confirm that this will definitely be the case? I will also take the Minister up on his offer of giving me an update along with Deputy O'Gorman.

Sentiment score: 0.13