Cabinet establishes measures for Groningen and North Drenthe in a legislative proposal

State Secretary Van Marum of Interior and Kingdom Relations: “Groningen and North Drenthe deserve a perspective for the future. With this legislative proposal, we establish that we will commit ourselves to this for generations. We invest, among other things, in youth, jobs, schools, and villages. In addition, we provide residents with the peace and certainty that there is enough money for the settlement of damage and strengthening of their homes, now and in the future.”

Addressing the historical debt requires a long-term approach. This applies not only to repairing damage, strengthening, and making homes more sustainable but also to enabling social and economic progress. With this legislative proposal, the cabinet is making a generational commitment to the residents of Groningen and North Drenthe. This is done by establishing that the cabinet will invest for generations in projects to promote broad prosperity and sustainability in Groningen and North Drenthe. Earlier this year, plans for this were presented in a Social and Economic Agenda. Additionally, this legislative proposal requires the cabinet to monitor the results of the approach for Groningen and North Drenthe over the next 30 years.

In the State of Groningen and North Drenthe, it will be made clear annually what the effect is of the damage settlement, the strengthening operation, and the insulation approach of homes. It will also clarify the impact of the measures from the Social and Economic Agenda. The cabinet must report annually to the House of Representatives on the results achieved. Future cabinets must also provide this accountability and will therefore be held to the implementation of the generational approach. This allows, where necessary, policies to be adjusted in a timely manner, now and in the future. This provides the residents of Groningen and North Drenthe with peace and certainty.

The legislative proposal also establishes that the Institute for Mining Damage Groningen (IMG) can actually repair damages up to €60,000 without investigating the cause of the damage. This measure eliminates the need for long-running investigations into the cause of the damage in some cases. Residents can choose either their own contractor or a contractor from the IMG. Furthermore, actual recovery reduces new disparities since the outcome is the same for all residents: a repaired and safe home.

The IMG will have more space with this legislative proposal to personally and actively inform residents about all damage regulations. This specifically concerns residents in the earthquake area who have not yet submitted an application while they are still entitled to it.

The State Supervision of Mines (SodM) will operate with a collegial board. This means that the board of the SodM will become stronger and more independent. This also ensures that the course of the supervisor is not dependent on one person. Additionally, an independent advisory committee will advise on the functioning of the members of the collegial board. This will be enshrined in the Mining Act.