*Dr Martina Cleary.
REGULATIONS that will lead to the approval of redress for pyrite-impacted homeowners in Clare have been signed off on by the Minister for Housing while the companies responsible for selling defective concrete blocks must now be pursued according to activists and politicians.
On Monday afternoon, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien (FF) commenced the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme which will provide financial support to affected homeowners in Clare, Donegal, Mayo and Limerick whose dwelling had been damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks in its construction.
Grants of up to €420,000 are available for affected homeowners depending on the works required under the scheme, but very few will be able to avail of this maximum sum.
Frustration has long been expressed by homeowners on the pace at which the signing of this regulation has taken with many delays along the way.
In Co Clare, more than one thousand homes are understood to have pyrite with over one hundred members of the Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG). Over 350 properties in a local authority housing scheme and Shannon Garda Station are among other buildings to have been detected with pyrite.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, founder of the Action Group, Dr Martina Cleary, “We’ve been fighting for three years to get to here, it is big relief to be acknowledged and have equal rights to other counties, it shouldn’t have taken three years but it is a big achievement. When I was looking at Clare listed in the official document, I remember sitting at home here in my yard and being told there is no help available, it was like facing an absolute wall of nothing and getting to here is huge”.
She added, “It’s a win to be acknowledged and included but you have to question what have we won, it is not the perception ‘we’ll be grand’, it’s a spin from Govt, it is not 100% redress, everyone will be in thousands of euros of debt, there are too many unopened questions not answered”.
Spin from the Government continues, she noted. “The propaganda of 100% redress is deeply problematic, the message is we’ll get €420,000 but that not’s true, very few people will get that, even the bigger houses will be €150,000 short, it’s not 100% redress”.
False perceptions on this has led to extra charges in quotes sought by homeowners with pyrite for repairs with one member already “fleeced”, Martina said, “I am already hearing on the ground of people being hit with extra charges when getting quotes, people are very hard pressed and will be €10,000 short, the banks will have to step up with bridging loans, most houses are already mortgaged but they are worthless”.
CPAG’s function going forward may alter to collectively source companies that will help deal with houses in a mass situation while also focusing on sharing knowledge and experiences, she added. Matters are made even more complex with how busy the building and construction trade is across the country, Dr Cleary commented.
Detail in relation to accommodation for homeowners while repairs are ongoing is lacking, the Crusheen woman stated. “It’s all theoretical because we haven’t been told and we don’t know when the portal will open, we’ll be on administered process, once you’re in and get approval the clock is ticking so you only have a couple of weeks to go from build to completion, people are facing into an abyss”.
Appointment of a facilitator within Clare County Council is needed to assist affected homeowners, Dr Cleary highlighted, for this to occur, further funding is needed by the Department of Housing and Local Government. “End to end project management” as part of the pyrite remediation scheme in Kildare ensured everything was dealt with on time and on budget, she noted.
Focus must also be shined on the companies responsible for selling defective blocks, Martina maintained. “It’s very important that the people did this are not left off the hook. We’re paying for our houses twice, we pay taxes, there’s shortfall in the scheme, the companies behind this should be paying”.
This stance was echoed by Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF). “When redress gets underway, I think it’s important that the government accelerate plans to take a landmark legal case against the manufacturers and suppliers of defective blocks. It is right that the state should now foot the bill for redress but ultimately those who manufactured and sold these blocks must be held responsible,” he stated.
