Homes in Dublin and Wexford are set to be added to the Government’s Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme, after Housing Minister James Browne sought Cabinet approval to extend the redress programme to affected properties in both counties.
It is estimated that 39 homes in Fingal and two in Co Wexford have been identified as impacted. The projected cost of expanding the scheme to cover the additional properties is understood to be between €10 million and €15 million.
Within Fingal, the affected homes are spread across several north Dublin towns: Rush (30 properties), Skerries (6), Lusk (2) and Ballyboughal (1). In Wexford, the two homes are located in Bunclody and Ferns.
The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme was first introduced three years ago to support homeowners whose properties were damaged due to the use of faulty concrete blocks. Initially, it applied to homes in Clare, Donegal, Limerick and Mayo, with Sligo added in 2024. The latest move signals a further geographic expansion of the scheme, reflecting concerns that the issue is not confined to the original counties.
Under the scheme, eligible homeowners can apply for financial assistance towards remediation works, including partial repairs or, in more severe cases, full demolition and rebuild. Grants are awarded following technical assessments confirming damage linked to defective concrete blocks.
Elsewhere at Cabinet, a number of other significant proposals were discussed.
Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers updated colleagues on a major review of regulations aimed at accelerating the delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects. The review will be carried out by a newly established regulatory simplification unit within his department.
Ministers were told that under current rules, major transport projects — such as new roads or public transport developments — can require up to 30 separate licences, consents and approvals before progressing. These pre-planning stages can take up to a year for road projects, while waste-water infrastructure can face delays ranging from one to four years. The review is expected to examine how to streamline these processes without compromising environmental or planning standards.
Meanwhile, Culture Minister Patrick O’Donovan brought forward proposals to establish a new branch of the National Museum of Ireland at the former International Rugby Experience exhibition centre on O’Connell Street in Limerick city. The building has been gifted to the State.
Under the plan, the site would house a dedicated women’s museum, alongside space for additional exhibitions. Speaking ahead of the Cabinet meeting, Mr O’Donovan described the initiative as “a major piece of work that we have been engaged in for a period of time”, adding that it follows on from a departmental report into women’s studies.
In transport, Minister Darragh O’Brien briefed the Cabinet on a planned €45 million investment in regional airports over the next five years. Airports expected to benefit include Shannon, Ireland West Airport (Knock), Kerry and Donegal. It is also anticipated that a new Public Service Obligation (PSO) air route between Dublin and Derry will be introduced later this year.
Junior Minister Alan Dillon presented Ireland’s updated Circular Economy Strategy for approval. The strategy sets a target of increasing the circular material use rate by 2% annually, with the aim of reaching 12% by 2030.
Finally, Further and Higher Education Minister James Lawless brought a memo to Cabinet outlining a €75 million capital programme designed to expand healthcare education capacity. The plan includes 461 new Health and Social Care Professions training places and up to 35 additional dentistry places per year, alongside expanded capacity across medicine and pharmacy courses.
The decisions taken at Cabinet signal continued Government focus on housing remediation, infrastructure delivery and investment in public services, as well as regional development and sustainability targets.
