Newly-elected Glenties councillor Denis McGee has called for support hubs in key areas across Donegal to assist homeowners in defective concrete block homes.
The 100% Redress Party member led the motion in Lifford today, demanding hubs to be established and adequately staffed in Glenties, Letterkenny and Inishowen.
“The centres should be staffed by well-informed facilitators who will have the up to date knowledge and resources to help the people of Donegal,” Cllr McGee said.
“The number of staff in these hubs should match the level of need required considering the large number of those that are affected by this issue.”
Cllr McGee’s motion was passed, with Director Of Services Michael McGarvey commenting that Donegal County Council is already supporting a business case for more resources for Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Community Facilitators employed by the Donegal Local Development Company and the Inishowen Development Partnership.
The groups are funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage to support homeowners through the DCB Scheme application process, sourcing or securing alternative accommodation, and signposting them to other supports and services.
Members were told that almost 1,500 homeowners have been supported with their applications by the facilitators.
“We haven’t stipulated where the facilitors that work are based,” Mr McGarvey explained. “They meet people in different locations, but we support the need for more facilitators and we have written to the Department with the business case submitted.
“They have asked for an increase in numbers with the view to have them put in place by quarter one next year.”