Hereunder are relevant documents in relation to the Enhanced Grant Scheme and homeowners are encouraged to review same in preparation for making an application(s) under the new Enhanced Grant Scheme.
Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme - Ministerial Guidelines
Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme: Your Questions Answered
Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks - Act 2023
Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks- Regulations 2023
Housing and Corporate - SPC Presentation on 5th July 2023 Enhanced Grant Scheme
Defective Concrete Blocks Planning Services Advice Note - July 2023
Validation information/documents required for a valid Grant Application
Presentation to DCB Committee 14th Sept 2023 - Update on Implementation of DCBGS
Press Statement on Implementation of the Enhanced Grant Scheme 14th Sept 2023
Donegal County Council acknowledges the announcement on the 3rd July 2023 by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the introduction of the Enhanced Grant Scheme. The Enhanced Scheme has replaced the previous scheme and will bring significant and improved changes to assist homeowners who have been impacted and affected by the presence of deleterious materials, to have their homes remediated.
Both Donegal County Council and the Housing Agency have roles in the implementation of the new Scheme. The Council’s role is changed significantly and involves the administration of the scheme, including the validation of applications and the issuing of payments. The Council does not have any engineering role within the new Scheme.
New Applications under the Enhanced Grant Scheme.
The Council has undertaken significant work preparing for the implementation of the new scheme, and the existing Online Application System is being updated to reflect same. The Council will be in a position to receive applications online under the Enhanced Scheme from Monday 10th July 2023.
Existing Applications made under the Previous Scheme.
In parallel with receiving new applications, there is now a requirement for the existing 1296 applications made under the previous scheme, to transition to the new Enhanced Grant Scheme. This will involve the calculation of grant amounts due under the Enhanced Scheme. Given the volume of applications, this is likely to take a period of time to complete.
These applications are within 2 broad categories as follows:
(a). 848 applications have already received Confirmation of Eligibility (Stage 1 Approval). These will be transitioned to the new Scheme by the Council. This will take a period of time. There is no action required by these homeowners currently. The Council will be in touch with individual homeowners in this regard, with the initial priority being given to homeowners who have already completed or have commenced their remediation works, with a view to paying additional grant money, where due, under the Enhanced Scheme. The Council will also be examining how certain cases such as vulnerable homeowners’ applications together with the worst affected homes, can be dealt with as part of this process.
(b). 251 of the 1296 applications have already been referred to the Housing Agency for engineering/technical assessment under the terms of the Enhanced Scheme. Each homeowner in this category has been advised that their application has progressed to the Housing Agency. The remainder of applications will be transferred to the Housing Agency, subject to validation requirements and the homeowners notified accordingly.
It should be borne in mind that, in the early stages of implementing the new scheme, the Council are taking a high volume of calls and queries. Council staff are currently familiarising themselves with the guidelines just received, and the Council appreciate homeowners’ continued patience and understanding as staff manage this heightened workload, during the initial implementation period.
Declaration of Authorised Floor Area Template Form - August 2023
Consent of Joint Owner Template Form - September 2023
Schedule 5 - Application Form for Payment of a Grant
Schedule 6 - Interim Valuation Certificate
Schedule 7 - Notice of Commencement of Works
Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme - (Previous Scheme)
Response to questions about Defective Concrete Blocks (first published 16th Sept 2021) here
Responses to questions raised at Special Council Mica Meeting held on February 24th 2022 (first published 13th April) here
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