The Minister for Housing James Browne TD had a ‘constructive’ visit to Donegal yesterday, where issues in the defective concrete block scheme were brought to the fore.
The Minister met with Donegal TDs, councillors, affected homeowners, the Mica Action Group and council management during a series of meetings. He also visited a number of homes severely affected by defective concrete.
Minister of State Charlie McConalogue TD said that the Housing Minister’s key objective was to assess how the scheme was going in Donegal.
“It was a very welcome and a very constructive visit,” said Minister McConalogue.
The Minister for Housing James Browne made his first official visit to Donegal yesterday. Photo: James Browne TD
Outstanding issues which were discussed were the downgrading of remediation options, social housing remediation and the 10% maximum cap increase for homeowners who have already rebuilt their houses.
“The Minister emphasised how important it was to get that legislative change through as quickly as possible. He undertook to assess how we could try and have that through the Oireachtas as quickly as he could,” said Minister McConalogue.
“In relation to the updated IS465, that may need some legislative changes as well, but he undertook to see if there was a way that he could get the additional 10% potentially through in advance of that.
“He gave the reassurance again that it certainly will come and that the government has absolutely made the decision to do that.”
Minister McConalogue said the Minister also reviewed the progress of the scheme.
“I had asked that he would come up (to Donegal) as soon as possible as soon as he could find an opportunity. It was important for him to get a full sense of the scheme and how it was going and a full sense of the outstanding issues that we’d like to see addressed too.”
The Minister for Housing James Browne made his first official visit to Donegal yesterday, meeting with Donegal County Council, Donegal representatives and people impacted by the defective concrete blocks crisis. Photo: James Browne TD
Minister McConalogue continued: “In the last 18 months we’ve seen a lot of progress in relation to the scheme that has been rolled out.”
“There are almost 500 homes under construction at the moment and just over 80 finished and it’s really important we see that progress continues
“It’s also really important we see how we can ensure the scheme works as effectively as possible in terms of supporting homeowners to have their homes fixed and that was the key objective behind the Minister’s visit.”
As Donegal County Council awaits the new Social Housing Remediation Scheme, the Housing Minister gave a commitment to liaise with his department to expedite the scheme, which would address the deterioration of lived-in homes and the rising vacancy of council-owned properties affected by deleterious materials.
Minister McConalogue said he understands that this scheme is “almost ready”.
“It’s important we see that scheme as soon as possible and it’s something we’ve all been pressing the Department on.
“The Department has been working and finalising the scheme and we hope we see it very soon. The Minister committed to trying to get it delivered quickly now too.”
