The cost of repairing MICA-affected houses in Donegal could rise to almost €1.3billion, according to leading Consulting Engineer Damien McKay.
The estimation comes after this month’s Cabinet commitment to a redress scheme for private houses affected by bad blocks.
An estimated 4,800 private homes in Donegal are affected by MICA, the vast majority in Inishowen.
Damien McKay of HD McKay Consulting Engineers told RTÉ’s Prime Time last night that the redress scheme will cost at least €300 million or €1.3billion, in the worst case scenario.
The Prime Time report examined how the repair scheme would be almost double the size of the Pyrite Remediation Scheme, which has cost €94M so far.
The government is to provide funding for the inspection and repair of Donegal’s MICA homes. The most common repair method is likely to be the replacement of the outer wall, while the costs would rise if the subfloors need to be replaced or demolished and rebuilt.
Mc McKay also highlighted the human cost of the crisis, saying: “We are dealing with emotional issues going on in the home and the stress this is causing to families. There are huge effects on mental health, marriage breakdowns, it’s just not the matter of damage to a home. These are people’s homes.”
Meanwhile in Dail Eireann, Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy has confirmed that the MICA Redress Scheme will be rolled out in 2019.
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