The Minister for Housing is being urged to keep Mica homeowners in the loop as the dynamics of the new defective blocks scheme are changed.
The Times Ireland reports today that the controversial sliding scale is set to be dropped and replaced with a new model. The model, proposed by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), will be based on eight different types of houses instead.
However, Mica homeowners have yet to see any details of what is being proposed for the new legislation.
Michael Doherty, PRO of the Mica Action Group, said that homeowners have been “dogged by let down after let down”. The lack of clarity on the timeline of the scheme, he said, has caused further distress to homeowners. He added that homeowner representatives have been asked to submit their considerations to the SCSI before a final report is due on 28th February. A full meeting is being sought to have an open discussion on the matter.
Following receipt of a letter from the Minister for Housing last week, Mr Doherty said the work does not feel like an inclusive process from the perspective of homeowners.
“We have a lot of people now losing faith in the process, that has not been our doing, that has been the poor level of what should have been positive intent by the other parties. That is the Housing Department,” Mr Doherty said in a weekly update to the Mica Action Group.
Mr Doherty said the Minister has to find a way to overcome the “wall of resistance” from the department.
Deputy Joe McHugh is set to raise questions with Minister Darragh O’Brien this week on Mica issues.
“I have asked that the Minister puts a system in place where homeowner representatives are kept fully informed on progress regarding the defective blocks scheme and kept fully engaged where necessary,” Deputy McHugh said, adding that he will also be seeking an indication of time-frames for publication and enactment of defective blocks legislation.
