A large majority of coalition TDs in the counties known to be affected by defective mica/pyrite blocks in the West and North-West have publicly confirmed their support for 100% Redress according to a poll published by the Mica Action Group.
On Sept 1st the Mica Action Group (MAG) wrote to 15 ‘in power’ TDs in Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary asking for a public declaration of their support for a 100% Redress Scheme for affected homeowners, with responses are being published daily on social media as part of the on-going campaign.
At the time of writing, 11 of the 15, had responded positively in favour of 100% Redress.
On June 15th thousands of affected homeowners from the West of Ireland took to the streets of Dublin to protest against a redress scheme which falls far short of requirements to remediate their crumbling homes.
In theory the scheme should meet 90% of costs, but in reality many homeowners are finding that due to the exclusion of associated costs, building materials inflation and financial caps they are left with an unmanageable financial burden, with bills of €100k or more not uncommon.
In addition, certain homeowners such as those who are retired, on lower incomes or experiencing illness are finding it an impossible task to raise the 10% contribution which still amounts to thousands of euros.
Michael Doherty PRO for MAG said “September is the final month of talks that were put in place by the Government on the back of the Dublin protest. I have been speaking to many TDs one to one, to give them a good understanding of the complexities of the scheme and why 100% Redress is an essential cornerstone of making the scheme fit for purpose.
“Those affected are at their wit’s end. People are living with huge issues regarding the safe habitation of their home, unsustainable financial burdens in addition to years of ongoing mental strain and disruption to their lives. Successive Governments failed to ensure the construction industry was properly regulated and their role is central to the making of this crisis. It is time for Government to acknowledge their past deficiencies and give homeowners a way out of this horror story”
In addition to the 100% Redress, campaigners’ key requirements are a State Backed Guarantee of remediation work to ensure that houses are insurable and resaleable, plus the inclusion of currently excluded homes such as holiday and rental houses.