The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme was set up to financially assist with remediation costs of homeowners whose properties were adversely affected by the presence of excessive quantities of mica or pyrite in the blockwork used in the construction of those properties.
The Enhanced Grant Scheme is available to the owners of dwellings located in the Limerick City and County administrative area.
To make an application to the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme, click here
For queries on the scheme, email dcb@limerick.ie or phone 061 556000
Who does the scheme apply to?
The Enhanced Grant Scheme applies to the owners of dwellings located in Limerick, Clare, Donegal, Mayo and Sligo, which dwellings are damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks containing excessive amounts of mica or pyrite or such other deleterious materials or combination of deleterious materials.
A relevant owner must:
- have acquired ownership of the dwelling prior to 31 January 2020 (or inherited the dwelling on or after 31 January 2020);
- or be the landlord where there was a registered tenancy on or before 1 November 2021 – except where the resident had to leave the dwelling due to damage caused by defective concrete blocks.
The dwelling must be:
- the individual's principal private residence, that is, a house which an individual owns (or co-owns) and occupies as his or her only main residence.
- a rented dwelling with a registered tenancy that was registered with the Residential Tenancies Boards (RTB) on or before 1 November 2021 subject to a maximum of one rental property per household.
Overview of Process
Stage 1. Application is made
- Homeowner engages a competent building professional to carry out a Building Condition Assessment (BCA) report assessing the damage threshold. (For BCA Report Template see Download the latest documents below)
- Homeowner should submit an online application to Limerick City and County Council with a copy of the BCA report.
- Limerick County Council consider if application is valid and refers valid applications to the Housing Agency.
- Housing Agency assesses the level of damage and notifies the local authority whether the dwelling meets or does not meet the damage threshold.
- Local authority notifies the homeowner of the determination by the Housing Agency.
Stage 2. Home is assessed and remediation option decided
- Competent Engineer on behalf of the Housing Agency undertakes testing and assessment of the dwelling.
- Housing Agency notifies the local authority of the determined appropriate remediation option or combination of remediation options and the remediation option grant amount.
- Limerick City and County Council notifies the homeowner of the determinations by the Housing Agency.
Stage 3. Work is carried out, Grant is paid and certificate is issued
- Homeowner engages a competent building professional to complete a Remedial Works Plan for the approved remediation option and submits to the local authority.
- Homeowner engages a building contractor and can request stage payments from Limerick City and County Council.
- Homeowner applies to Limerick City and County Council for other grants for alternative accommodation, storage and immediate repairs where necessary.
- A Certificate of Remediation completed by the competent building professional is submitted to Limerick City and County Council with the homeowner's final grant payment request.
- Limerick City and County Council issues a Letter of Assurance to the homeowner following receipt of the Certificate of Remediation for the approved remediation options other than demolition and rebuild.