Clare again attempts to push the government regarding the present state of play with the Pyrite Remediation Scheme and the need for them to amend it to take on board the deficiencies which have emerged in the operation of the scheme… Needless to say as usual the government aren’t particularly concerned, see below…
Question No. 39: To the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government:
To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will undertake a comprehensive review of the operation of the Pyrite Remediation Scheme; if he will address common problems and difficulties that have emerged, in particular in relation to the need for a more flexible approach to dwellings that have a Building Condition Assessment of less than two and the approach taken when other structural problems, including fire safety issues emerge as part of the remediation. – Clare Daly.
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 5th November, 2015.
Ref No: 37239/15
REPLY
Minister of State for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Paudie Coffey)
The pyrite remediation scheme, which was first published by the Pyrite Resolution Board in February 2014, was developed having regard to, inter alia, the recommendations set out in the Report of the Pyrite Panel
(July 2012) and the relevant provisions of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 . The full conditions for eligibility are set out in the scheme, which is available on the Board’s website at www.pyriteboard.ie . It is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment, carried out by a competent person in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol , indicating a Damage Condition Rating of 2. There are no proposals to amend this eligibility criterion.
While a review of the pyrite remediation scheme is not under consideration, the N ational S tandards A uthority of I reland (NSAI) has commenced a review of I.S. 398 -1:2013 in the light of practical experience since the standard was first introduced in January 2013. This standard sets out the national procedures for the assessment of pyritic damage and for the testing of pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material of dwellings and is a key document in both the operation of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 and the pyrite remediation scheme.
The NSAI’s current programme indicates that this initial stage of the review , which involves the gathering of submissions from an expert committee established for the purposes of the review, should be completed by end 2015. I understand that t he expert committee, having considered the review submissions, will then make recommendations for the NSAI’s consideration regarding an appropriate course of action ; this may include either a recommendation to leave the standard unchanged or a recommendation in support of a programme for the revision of the standard. Subject to the recommendations being accepted by the NSAI, a work programme will be prepared for implement ation by the expert committee.
A review of I.S. 398 -2:2013 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 2: Methodology for remediation works is also scheduled and w ill follow a similar programme.
Question No. 41 To the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government:
To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views in relation to Homebond’s refusal to address structural defects on the grounds that a property has pyrite, including cases where such damage is unrelated to pyrite; if he has had, or plans to have, discussions with them on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Clare Daly.
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 5th November, 2015.
Ref No: 37240/15
REPLY
Minister of State for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Paudie Coffey)
HomeBond is a private limited company providing structural guarantees for new houses ; since November 2008, the HomeBond Insurance scheme is underwritten by Allianz Insurance. As is the case for any private company, its operations are a matter for its management and Board of Directors. As a private company, my Department has no role or function in its operations and cannot direct HomeBond to take a particular course of action. In this regard, I have no proposals to meet with HomeBond.
The Pyrite Resolution Act provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope to dwellings which have significant damage attributable to pyritic heave established in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorization protocol . Issues, which are outside the scope of the pyrite remediation scheme, which is to remediate substantial damage caused by pyritic heave, cannot be addressed under the scheme.
Where matters not covered by the pyrite remediation scheme are noted during the preparation of remedial works plans, the Housing Agency will advise homeowners, as soon as it is possible, to obtain their own independent advice in such matters. Where a structural warranty is in place, which provides cover for these defects, then it will be incumbent upon the warranty provider to remedy these defects following a valid application from the homeowner in accordance with the terms and conditions of the structural warranty.
My Department is aware that building defects, which are outside the scope of the pyrite remediation scheme, have been identified in a number of dwellings during pyrite remediation works under the scheme. In this context, the Pyrite Resolution Board and the Housing Agency will continue to seek contributions from all parties, including HomeBond, who may have a liability in respect of dwellings which are the subject of applications under the pyrite remediation scheme as those applications are progressed and the contracts for remediation works to affected homes are advanced.