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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Donegal TD and agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue said he had received confirmation of the increase from Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien
The maximum cap on the Government’s Government's Defective Block Remediation Scheme is to increase to €462,000.
The 10% rise from €420,000 is expected to be brought to the Government later this month.
Donegal TD and agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue confirmed the increase after receiving confirmation from Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien.
Mr McConalogue said 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 will rise to €499,500 per home.
Speaking from Korea, where he is representing the government on a trade mission, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said: "I welcome this confirmation from the Minister for Housing that he plans to increase the maximum grant available under the scheme by ten per cent.
"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," Mr McConalogue added.
"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.
"A memo for Cabinet is being finalised and is expected to be brought to government in mid-September outlining the detail of how the increased cap and square-foot rates will be applied. I am continuing to liaise with the Minister for Housing and his department to press for the best possible outcome for homeowners," he commented.
"It has been really positive to see the increase in the momentum of the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme each month over the course of the past year since the new scheme was introduced by this Government.
"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."
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