Defective Block homeowners have issued a request for Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien to have an in-person meeting in Donegal.
It is hoped that Minister O’Brien can clear confusion over the enhanced Defective Concrete Block scheme announced earlier this month.
Homeowners gathered in large numbers at an information session on Monday held by volunteers with the Mica Action Group.
The meeting in Burt brought up serious concerns about the interpretation of the legislation.
In a letter to the Minister, MAG representatives said there is “considerable palpable apprehension and consternation from the victims of this crisis” who only have a FAQ document to explain the changes in the scheme.
Lisa Hone, chair of the Mica Action Group, addressing and information session at An Grianan Hotel on Monday
They called for more engagement from the Minister, which they say would be more effective in-person.
The letter says: “The rejection of pre-legislative scrutiny and 80 homeowner legislative amendments is not representative of positive engagement and has resulted in the design of yet another scheme which, as is clear from our meeting on Monday night, fails to take account of complexities that homeowners face at every turn. It is becoming increasingly clear that your written commitment to address ‘the core issues raised in relation to the current scheme…through immediate actions’, has been ineffectual.
“It is past time that as Minister for Housing with accountability for the most expensive grant scheme in the history of the State, that you and all of those responsible for the development of the DCB scheme attend a public meeting with Donegal homeowners to genuinely listen to their feedback and address their concerns. “
