Damien Mc Cauley demonstrates how weak the blocks are from his house built in 2006 . all the outer walls have to be replaced at his family home, and his family had to be moved out. Photo Brian McDaid
Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn raised the muscovite mica defective block crisis in the Seanad today with the Minister of State for Housing, Damien English.
But the Sinn Fein politician expressed his disappointment that the Minister refused to confirm that the Government will put in place a Mica Redress Scheme for affected families in Donegal.
He also refused to amend the terms of reference of the Mica Expert Panel currently tasked with investigating the issue and reporting back to government with recommendations.
He said “I took the opportunity today to draw the Minister’s attention to the recent RTE Primetime report. There can be no doubt about the scale of this crisis after this programme.
This crisis that has devatatated so many families in Donegal is the result of a profound failure of State regulation.
Sinn Féin public representatives in Donegal have relentlessly pursued this issue over the last number of years and we will not rest until a real solution for so many Donegal families is found”.
He added that in recent weeks, he has repeatedly raised his concerns about the limited terms of reference given to the expert panel, currently tasked with investigating the extent of the mica crisis in Donegal.
“Let’s be clear. What is required is a Mica Redress Scheme that provides financial support to the families in Donegal so that they can rebuild their homes and make them safe for their families.
“I am disappointed that Minister English when challenged today, refused to confirm that the Government will put in place a Mica Redress Scheme for affected families in Donegal and that he refused to amend the terms of reference of the Mica Expert Panel currently tasked with investigating the issue and reporting back to government with recommendations.
“As it stands, Donegal County Council will be saddled with a huge bill that will impact on other local services across the county.
“The Minister will visit some affected Donegal families in the next week and he will hopefully meet with a cross party delegation from Donegal County Council. I trust that following these meetings, he will reconsider the government’s approach and do the right thing”.
