Donegal Minister Charlie McConalogue has said he is seeking ‘full clarity’ on the Mica redress scheme through his work with Minister for Housing Darragh O Brien.
Minister McConalogue says full clarity must be brought to the scheme’s terms and conditions as quickly as possible.
“Everyone that is affected deserves a scheme that works for them, that ensures their house can be fixed, that minimises the cost to families of this terrible situation that is facing them and that every home in the county can be fully fixed in the time ahead,” the Minister said in a video update to Mica homeowners last night.
However, the one solution sought by families – 100% redress, no less – was not mentioned by the Minister.
McConalogue last night recognised the ‘tremendous turnout’ at last week’s Mica protests in Buncrana, Letterkenny and Mayo, which was attended by over 12,000 people to highlight the insufficient redress scheme.
In recent weeks, and in today’s Sunday papers, families have exposed the realities of their crumbling homes and of the financial mountains they have been told to overcome to repair the damage. The 10% contribution required from homeowners to avail of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme, which is capped at €247,500, has left some families with bills of up to €100,000 if they are to save their homes.
Minister McConalogue is seeking to assure homeowners that he is working to have the issues addressed.
“There’s no doubt that issues have emerged in relation to the scheme and what was accepted on the basis of it being 90/10, as families have engaged with it, it has become clear for so many that it hasn’t been the case,” Minister McConalogue said.
The Minister has promised to fight for full government attention on the matter, but families are continuing to ask for the only outcome that they say will solve their anguish – 100% redress. This measure would achieve parity with those affected by pyrite affected homes in Dublin.
“If Dublin is good enough to get 100% redress and more why shouldn’t Donegal?,” asked one homeowner.
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