Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien is planning to increase the maximum grant available under the scheme Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme by ten per cent.
This would bring the maximum grant for remediation work from €420,000 to €462,000.
It’s understood that a memo for Cabinet is being finalised and is expected to be brought to government in mid-September.
Donegal Minister, Charlie McConalogue has welcomed confirmation of the proposed raise.
Speaking from a trade mission Korea, Minister McConalogue said: “This is extremely important news for homeowners and is the maximum increase that can be applied once the scheme has been in operation for twelve months.
“The increase in the overall cap, in conjunction with the SEAI energy grants that were confirmed in June, will mean that the maximum funding available under the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme will rise to €499,500 per home.”
Minister McConalogue said he is continuing to press for the best outcome for homeowners, adding that it is “really positive” to see developments in Donegal under the enhanced scheme brought in last year.
“We now have 200 houses under construction in Donegal, with an additional 44 completely finished under the scheme. A total of 477 homeowners have now received their upgraded grant approval from Donegal County Council or the Housing Agency, with almost two thirds of approvals being for full demolition,” the Donegal Minister said.
“I will continue to liaise with the Department of Housing and Donegal County Council to ensure the scheme is as strong as possible and provides the support needed by homeowners to remediate their homes and be able move on again with their lives,” Minister McConalogue added.
