Most families in Donegal are unable to access the defective concrete blocks scheme because they cannot come up with excess costs of €50,000 and €150,000, the Tánaiste has been told.
Sinn Féin Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn highlighted issues with the enhanced redress scheme to Micheál Martin in the Dáil today. Deputy Mac Lochlainn said the biggest redress scheme in the history of the state “isn’t working” and that packed public meetings in Donegal and Mayo give evidence to the anger.
“Will you now ensure like what happened with pyrite for over 3,000 families in North Leinster who got 100% redress, will you now deliver a scheme as genuine 100% redress for families in Donegal, Mayo Sligo and right down the west of Ireland?,” Deputy Mac Lochlainn asked.
Mr Martin responded: “I do understand fully the plight of many householders whose houses, for quite a number of them, are uninhabitable and the real distress and anxiety caused as a result of the Mica.”
On the enhanced scheme announced in 2021, Mr Martin said: “My understanding is a lot of people are applying to the scheme and are getting their houses refurbished.”
The Tánaiste added that he has asked Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien again for an update.
Last week, Minister O’Brien published the latest statistics for the scheme which revealed that 43 out of a total 1,652 applicants in Donegal have had works fully completed on their homes.
