The Oireachtas Committee on Housing has been told that the enhanced Mica scheme is not workable.
The committee, which is being held this afternoon, is hearing from homeowners and expert witnesses as they discuss the major issues with the new scheme.
The Housing Minister is eager to pass legislation on the €2.7 billion defective blocks remediation scheme before the summer.
However, today’s committee was told there are 35 different issues in the general scheme which render it “unworkable”.
PRO of the Mica Action Group in Donegal, Michael Doherty, said: “What we continue to see by the Department is what we can only describe as coercive control over homeowners as opposed to seeking a solution-based approach. Families are stressed to breaking point.
“The scheme is an inflexible, cynical, illogical and blinkered approach burdening homeowners with yet more stress.”
Mr Doherty said homeowners will be out by tens of thousands of euro, and some by six-figure somes, if the grant allocations are not changed. He made the call for penalty-free downsizing, replacement of foundations and other structures as part of the crucial amendments.
Anyone following today’s proceeding, if you still aren’t understanding what we mean by crumbling homes 👀
10 years and people are still living in homes like this ⬇️ https://t.co/20lqcFeXl5
— Mica Action Group (@micaactiongroup) June 23, 2022
Representatives also said that the timeframe laid out in the scheme is not doable, leaving homeowners unable to rebuild their homes in the allotted time.
“Everything that has been set up in the scheme is ‘anti-homeowner’,” said Martina Hegarty, North Mayo Pyrite Group.
Mr Doherty reiterated the group’s demand for ‘like for like’ remediation in line with the Pyrite scheme. He said the rates set by the SCSI are unfair and inhibit any chance of a 100% redress. The committee also heard that the real costs provided represent more like an 80% grant.
Watch the Committee here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachtas-tv/cr1-live/
