Housing Services

Grant Scheme Information

Information on the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme

• Purpose of the Grant Scheme

  The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme is available to financially assist homeowner(s) to remediate their dwelling, where it has been damaged using defective concrete blocks in its construction.

  The grant scheme is a scheme of last resort for affected homeowners who have no other practical options to remediate their dwellings.

  The grant scheme will be operated and administered by Mayo County Council.

• Who does the grant scheme apply to?

  This grant scheme applies to the owners of dwellings, located in County Mayo, which are damaged due to defective concrete blocks containing excessive amounts of deleterious materials, namely mica or pyrite.

  Under this grant scheme an owner can only apply for one dwelling and a dwelling can only be the subject of one grant (one owner, one dwelling – one dwelling, one grant).

  The dwelling must be the individual’s principal private residence.

   

• How do I know if my dwelling has damage

  An engineer’s report in accordance with I.S. 465:2018 is required to demonstrate that your dwelling has been damaged. This report must be carried out by an engineer who has the necessary professional experience and has completed specialist training. A list of these engineers can be found here  

  The register lists chartered engineers, who have the necessary direct professional experience, competence and specialist training in accordance with the requirements set out in 'I.S. 465:2018 - Assessment, testing and categorisation of damaged buildings incorporating concrete blocks containing certain deleterious materials’.

   

• What is IS 465:2018?

  The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) established a Technical Committee to scope and fast track the development of a standardised protocol. The standardised protocol informs the course of action in relation to remedial works for all affected householders.

  The standardised protocol was published by the NSAI on 13 November 2018 and ‘I.S. 465:2018 - Assessment, testing and categorisation of damaged buildings incorporating concrete blocks containing certain deleterious materials’ is available at www.nsai.ie

  The standard can be used to assess and categorise the damage in properties where the concrete blocks are suspected to contain the minerals mica or pyrite. Previously, there was no common way for engineers or homeowners to assess the damage caused by defective concrete blocks, in order to decide what, if any, remedial work could be carried out.

  The standard:

  • Establishes a protocol for assessing and determining whether a building has been damaged by concrete blocks containing certain excessive amounts of deleterious materials (free or unbound muscovite mica, or aggregate with potentially deleterious quantities of pyrite);
  • Describes methods for establishing the extent of the problem;
  • Describes the scope of any testing required; and
  • Categorises buildings, in accordance with the standard, providing competent persons with guidance on the appropriate measures to be taken.

   

• What costs are covered by this grant scheme?

  This grant scheme covers up to 90% of the costs associated with the qualifying works deemed necessary for the remediation of the relevant dwelling (subject to maximum limits), and includes the costs associated with the:

  • Engineer’s report;
  • Preparation of remedial works plan by a competent engineer;
  • Contractor carrying out the remedial works;
  • Professional oversight of the remedial works, including inspection and certification.

   

• What grant amount is available?

  The maximum grant payable for each remedial option is 90% of the maximum approved cost, or 90% of the actual cost of the qualifying works carried out, whichever is the lesser (see Table 1 below). As the remedial works progress, the homeowner will be eligible to apply for grant payment in stages.

   

  Table 1 - Grant amount payable per remedial option
  Remedial option	Remedial option description	Maximum approved cost (see Note 1 below)	Maximum grant payable (see Notes 1 & 2 below)
  Option 1	Demolish entire dwelling to foundation level and rebuild.	€275,000	€247,500
  Option 2	Demolish and rebuild external walls (both outer and inner leafs) down to foundation on a phased basis and re-render.	€220,000	€198,000
  Option 3	Demolish and rebuild external walls (both outer and inner leafs) down to top of rising wall on a phased basis and re-render.	€210,000	€189,000
  Option 4	Demolish and rebuild external walls (outer leaf only) down to top of rising wall on a phased basis and re-render.	€75,000	€67,500
  Option 5	Demolish and rebuild outer leaf of affected walls only and re-render.	€55,000	€49,500
  NOTE: 1. All costs are inclusive of VAT. 2. Not to exceed 90% of the maximum approved cost, or 90% of actual cost of the qualifying works, whichever is the lesser.

   

• Process for Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme

  There are three stages to this grant scheme:

  Stage 1: Confirmation of Eligibility

  The homeowner applies to the local authority by:

  • completing the application form for Stage 1: confirmation of Eligibility and;
  • Providing an engineer’s final report (from an engineer on the I.S.465: 2018 Register), as evidence of damage to the dwelling.

  If satisfied, the local authority confirms eligibility to proceed to Stage 2: Grant Approval, subject to the terms of the scheme.

  Stage 2: Grant Approval

  Before remedial works commence, the homeowner applies for grant approval by completing the application form for Stage 2: Grant Approval and provides estimated costs form a contractor to remediate the dwelling.

  If satisfied, the local authority confirms the maximum approved grant amount, subject to the terms of the scheme.

  Stage 3: Payment of Grant

  Following completion and certification of the works, the homeowner applies for full or partial payment of the grant approved at Stage 2 by completing the application form for Stage 3: Payment of Grant

  If satisfied, the local authority pays the grant to the homeowner, subject to the terms of the scheme.

   

• Requirements of the grant scheme

  The applicant must be a ‘relevant owner’ of a ‘relevant dwelling’ in a ‘relevant local authority’.

  The relevant owner must:

  • Be an individual who owns the dwelling (whether jointly or not)
  • Have acquired ownership of the dwelling prior to 31 January 2020 (or inherited the dwelling after 31 January 2020)
  • Occupy the dwelling as his or her principal private residence
  • Intend in good faith to reside in the dwelling as his or her principal private residence on completion of the qualifying works to the dwelling.

   The ‘relevant dwelling’must be a house, apartment, maisonette or duplex dwelling that:

  • Is located in the administrative area of a relevant local authority i.e. Mayo County Council
  • The construction of which was completed prior to 31/01/2020;
  • Was constructed using defective concrete blocks, and
  • Is damaged due to the use of the defective concrete blocks.

   

• How do I apply?

  Engage an Engineer from the I.S.465:2018 Register to complete an engineer’s final report and testing, as evidence of damage to the dwelling.

  Complete Confirmation of Eligibility application form for the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme and submit with the required documentation to: Defective Concrete Blocks Grants Scheme, Central Housing, Mayo County Council,College House, Station Road, Swinford, Co. Mayo.

  If satisfied, Mayo County Council will confirm eligibility to proceed to Stage 2: Grant Approval, subject to terms of the scheme.

  To download a copy of the application form please click here

• Queries

  If you have any queries in relation to the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme please call the Swinford Housing Office on 094-9064510 or by email