Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has written to the Minister for Housing seeking clarification that the increase in the cap for the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme applies to those who have already commenced works on their home under the scheme.
The Donegal TD said the increased cap should apply to homeowners who have commenced works.
And he has written to Minister Darragh O’Brien urging him to include these struggling homeowners in the scheme.
The Sinn Fein Deputy said “While I believe that this scheme should be a genuine 100% redress scheme, run by the State from start to finish, like the Pyrite Remediation Scheme, this news will be welcome to those who can avail of this scheme in Donegal.
“However, it is not clear that the increased cap will benefit families who have commenced remediation works under the scheme. It would be unjust and unacceptable if they were excluded.
“There was an 11-month delay in the scheme becoming operational after the legislation was passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas in July 2022 and the cap outlined back then has not reflected real construction costs for a long time now.
“The families who have commenced work are facing very significant financial shortfalls and they are anxiously awaiting clarification.
“I am calling on the Minister to provide that clarification as soon as possible and to do the right thing by these families.”
