Reply from Minister Phil Hogan T.D.

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the basis on which the National Standards Authority of Ireland have been asked to report to his Department on the subject of pyrite testing; when this will be published; the consensus amongst stakeholders regarding the funding for testing for pyrite in properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Reply from Minister Phil Hogan T.D.

The report of the independent Pyrite Panel contains twenty four inter-related recommendations covering a broad range of issues. The recommendations can be broken into two categories, those dealing with the delivery of solutions to homeowners whose homes are affected by pyrite and who have no other option for redress , and recommendations to limit the occurrence of similar problems in the future and to enhance consumer protection.  
 
The implementation of many of the recommendations in the pyrite report requires the involvement and co-operation of a number of parties, and implementation will be on a progressive basis. Given their particular impact on affected homeowners, priority is being given to the recommendations around the deliver y of a remediation process   for affected homeowners , including funding for a remediation scheme, the establishment of a Pyrite Resolution Board , and t he development of s tandards for the testing and categorisation of dwellings and for a remediation method statement.  
 
I have recently received Government approval for the imposition of a levy on both the quarrying and insurance sectors as a mechanism to provide the necessary funding for a remediation scheme. The imposition of these levies will require primary legislation and I am committed to having the legislation published and enacted in the shortest timeframe possible.
 
The Government also approved the establishment of a Resolution Board as recommended in the pyrite report. I am currently finalising membership of the Board. I have previously announced the appointment of the Chairman and I will announce the full Board membership shortly. The role of the Board will be to oversee the operation of the remediation scheme and to ensure that the public interest, and the interest of the affected homeowners, is well served.
 
Reflecting the approach recommended in the report for the engagement of stakeholders in processes to provide a solution to the pyrite problem, my Department and I have been involved in on-going discussions with key stakeholders and in particular with representatives from the Construction Industry Federation, Irish Concrete Federation, HomeBond, and the Irish Banking Federation since July 2012.
 
The Construction Industry Federation, the Irish Concrete Federation and HomeBond have agreed to establish an entity for the purposes of operating the remediation scheme in respect of those homes affected by pyrite. A number of financial institutions have agreed in principle to make initial loan funding available to facilitate the early commencement of pyrite remediation work and it is intended that the entity will engage with those institutions in relation to the loan facility.
 
In July 2012, shortly after receiving the pyrite report ,   I asked the N ational S tandards A uthority of I reland (NSAI) to undertake the development of protocols for the testing and categorisation of dwellings and for a remediation statement as recommended in the report. I am pleased that the NSAI fast-tracked this work and the two new standards were published on 29 January 2013. Their publication represents ano ther important step in the advancement and implementation of solutions for homeowners .
 
In October 2012, the NSAI announced the review and development of the existing specification for unbound granular fill (hardcore) for use under concrete floors and sought submissions from the public. This work will now progress and I look forward to its completion which will represent an important safeguard for consumers in the future.
 
The new Building Control (Amendment) Regulations, currently being finalised, require the submission of compliance documentation to Local Authorities and inspection and certification of building works by registered professionals providing an added level of consumer protection. This is in line with recommendations in the pyrite report.
 
Work is underway on the scope and the terms and conditions of the remediation scheme and the cost of testing will be dealt with in that context