MICA group says redress scheme still being worked on

The Mica Action Group (MAG) has today confirmed that in spite of the difficult circumstances we find ourselves in due to Covid-19, the Mica Redress Scheme is still being worked on behind the scenes.

And the group is hopeful it will not be much longer before the scheme opens.

Ann Owens, Chairperson of MAG said “The Department of Housing has confirmed that they are well aware of the very difficult position that this crisis puts on mica affected homeowners, and have assured us that they are continuing to work hard on the final terms and conditions of the scheme.

“Martin McDermott, Councillor and Mayor of Inishowen has also confirmed that Donegal County Council is working on finalising the details of the scheme in conjunction with the Department. He has indicated that there will be a need for staff to be familiarised with the details once these terms have been finalised but is confident that this work is progressing and should be open soon.”

The group says that whilst they know that there will be issues around undertaking testing and being on site at the homes of families affected, they must also do all they can to prepare during this time and to be ready to go when they get the green light that things are safe and restrictions have been lifted.

She added “This news from the Department and from Donegal County Council is a huge relief for affected families as a lot of people have lost confidence that this scheme would ever see the light of day due to the pressures on Government at the minute. It will allow those families affected to take comfort in the fact that they have not been forgotten about and we at MAG and the relevant authorities are still working hard on their behalf.

The Mica Action Group is a voluntary group formed in early 2014 by individuals whose own homes are cracking due to defective blocks. The objective of the group is to seek redress for homeowners affected by this issue. The group has engaged with government on a local and on a national level to determine the exact scale and the cause of the problem in the county.