The Mica Action Group has said that the government’s second go at a Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme is still not delivering 100% redress for many.
The enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme officially commenced last night, providing grants of up to €420,000 for affected homeowners. Homeowners can also apply for up to €25,000 for alternative accommodation and storage costs and immediate repair works.
Lisa Hone, Chair of the Mica Action Group states that the new measures in the scheme leave major obstacles for some homeowners, while others will be excluded completely.
Ms Hone said: “Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien claims positive engagement with homeowners, however those affected do not regard having pre-legislative scrutiny denied, legislative and regulatory amendments ignored, their genuine concerns serially dismissed or being excluded completely as positive engagement.”
She states that the scheme does not fully resolve the issues, despite the protracted timetable.
“MAG and many affected homeowners alike have articulated serious concerns about the revised scheme with regard to the exclusion of foundations, the failure to prioritise the vulnerable, the absence of suitable accommodation, the issues surrounding the Certificate of Remediation including the lack of meaningful and timely engagement with the banking and insurance sectors, the forcing of people to build to lapsed construction standards and the clear fact that this scheme does not represent 100% of true costs and will undoubtedly leave very significant numbers of homeowners with shortfalls of tens of thousands of euros.
“It is inexplicable, beyond a sheer lack of political will, why Government did not adopt a more common sense, solution based approach. Zero-cost options such as penalty free downsizing, transfer of eligibility and side-by-side building would provide greater flexibility for homeowners and would not cost the State a cent more.
“It is also important to remember that thousands of homes and other affected structures are excluded – they currently have no scheme, despite being victim to the same regulatory and market surveillance failures that the State presided over for years and years in the production of construction materials.
“If Government think the DCB Scheme is resolution, they should ask themselves why over 2000 families and growing, feel they need to sign up to a legal case to seek true redress.”
Ms Hone commented that technical issues persist with the regulations of the scheme. The government has agreed to undertake a review of the IS465 standard to examine potential impact of deleterious materials on foundations and the consideration of deleterious materials other than pyrite or mica.
Ms Hone said: “Further scientific research is being conducted but the results will not be available until the end of the year at the earliest – leaving homeowners feeling anxious and unable to make informed decisions about the implications for foundations and remediation options that leave defective blocks in their home.”
The group has also expressed concern about the lack of accommodation in affected counties and how the most vulnerable will navigate the demands of the scheme.
Ms Hone said: “Homeowners can avail of an accommodation and storage allowance with the new scheme, but it does not magically produce the homes that people require. Many homeowners dealing with illness and disability tell us it is impossible for them to find suitable accommodation. If they can’t find alternative accommodation, they can’t access the scheme. The MAG homeowner survey indicates there are at least 3,200 homeowners with chronic health conditions, 2,600 people with chronic mental illness and a further 2,600 homeowners with mobility issues.”
So far, 37 houses have been remediated in the 3 years since the original scheme was launched in 2020.
The Mica Action Group says that 5000 homes are estimated to be affected in Co. Donegal alone, yet just over 1300 have applied to the original scheme, indicating that there is a ‘tsunami of those affected waiting in the wings’.
Ms Hone said: “Government can no longer live on promises. They must now face the acid test of putting the scheme into operation, where the reality for all concerned will quickly become apparent.”
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