Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal Damien English has vowed to fast-track the next stage in the Mica resolution process.
Minister English met with the MICA Action Group today and assured homeowners who are affected and public representatives that two of the eight recommendations outlined in the recent ‘Report of the Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks’ will be put into action before the end of the year.
The report was last month released by the Minister, and it estimates that between 1,200 and 4,800 homes are affected by mica, with most of them being built between 1999 and 2008. Some of the properties affected were built as far back as 1984 up until 2011, but most of the properties were constructed between 1999 and 2008.
Thousands of properties in Donegal and Mayo are affected. Source: Report of the Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks.
It mainly affects the Inishowen area, but there are properties impacted in the Letterkenny Municipal District area also.
Recommendation 1, titled ‘Testing and Categorisation Protocol’ outlines that “a simple standardised protocol should be developed to; assess and categorise the damage; establish the extent of the problem; identify the scope of any testing required; and aid selection of an appropriate remedial solution.”
As some investigations were carried out by professionals with varying levels of “consistency” (ie, some will include laboratory tests whereas others will visually inspect the premises), a standardised protocol must be put into place.
Recommendation 2, titled ‘Competent Professional Oversight’ recommends that “the homeowners seek the advice of a competent professional where concerns regarding Health and Safety arise, and the design and inspection of any proposed remedial works to affected dwellings be monitored by a competent professional.”
When worried about safety, advice should be sought from a qualified professional, with all materials being suitable for the job at hand.
Following the implementation of recommendations one and two, the Minister will then turn to the financial aspect.
Although not committing to a redress scheme, he assured homeowners that they will not be left with the bill. He also raised the possibility of providing social housing for families affected.
Minister English plans on meeting the MICA Action Group again before Christmas.
Minister English said; “I want to thank the families of the Mica Action Group for meeting me in Lifford today. Many of them are living in terrible conditions and it was important for me to meet them again.
“I have visited some of their homes to see for myself the issues they face on a daily basis.
“I want to compliment all the families I met today and all those affected by this issue for working with us to find solutions. I also want to compliment Minister McHugh, Cllr McGuinness and all those who have worked hard to get us this far in this process and I have asked that the next stage is moved quickly through and I will return to Donegal before Christmas to meet the families again.”
Within the report, the Minister says that people were “devastated” by the way in which their homes have deteriorated.
“The frustrations, trauma and distress of these people were clearly visible during our visits to their homes. They have homes in which they made significant financial investments on behalf of their families but now find that their investments may be worthless.
“The lives of these people have been seriously impacted both emotionally and financially and they find themselves in an unfortunate and difficult position and are seeking assistance from wherever possible to rectify their situations.”
Donegal TD Joe McHugh thanked Minister English for his commitment to the people of Donegal on this issue and says he will continue to lobby in government for a redress scheme.
Cllr Bernard McGuinness and Cllr Barry O’Neill have also admired the Minister’s commitment on the issue.
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