Damien Mc Cauley demonstrates how weak the blocks are from his house built in 2006 . all the outer walls have to be replaced at his family home, and his family had to be moved out. Photo Brian McDaid
A GROUP set up the Government six months ago to investigate crumbling concrete in their homes hasn’t met yet and still hasn’t filled all the roles, it has been revealed.
The issue – caused by mica or pyrite in concrete blocks – has hit hundreds of homes in Donegal.
Some home owners have had to rebuild their homes while others are hoping on a compensations scheme.
An expert group was tasked with identifying the number of private dwellings which appear to be affected by defects in the block work by Paudie Coffey, Minister with Responsibility for Housing.
At the time he said he was “acutely aware of the extremely difficult and distressing situations that affected homeowners in Donegal and Mayo are facing on account of damage to the structural integrity of their homes.”
In January, a former director of services with Waterford County Council, Denis McCarthy, was appointed to chair the panel but the remaining members of the group have yet to be appointed.
So the group hasn’t even met! Because there is no group.
One homeowner told us: “This is ridiculous. There is no excuse for this delay – we are at our wits’ end.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Environment said: “Nominations are currently being sought from a number of professional bodies (i.e. Engineers Ireland, the Institute of Geologists of Ireland and the National Standards Authority of Ireland) for suitable persons to participate in the group, which it is envisaged will be comprised of technical experts.
“It is anticipated that all three nominees will be received in the department shortly and that the expert group will commence its investigations into the matter at the earliest opportunity thereafter.”