Angered homeowners gathered in the head office of Engineers Ireland today to protest the downgrading of remediation recommendations in the Defective Concrete Block scheme.
A coach-load of campaigners brought their grievances to Dublin this afternoon, seeking a review of decisions by engineers employed by the Housing Agency.
So far, more than a third (123) of independent engineers’ recommendations for remediating homes have been changed by engineers acting on behalf of the Housing Agency.
Campaigners representing those100+ downgraded homeowners today hand-delivered a significant number of complaints to Engineers Ireland on the issue.
Donegal Homeowners protest at Engineers Ireland. Photo: Mica Action Group
Campaigners, including the Mica Action Group, say recent scientific findings on the cause of defective concrete which render the IS 465 standard as not-fit-for-purpose must be acknowledged immediately in the review by the National Standards Authority.
The scheme, which continues to be based on the IS 465 standard, has seen 35% of the 315 remediation options granted to homeowners downgraded.
Angela Ward, PRO of MAG, states “This alarming statistic only serves to emphasise that the Housing Agency Engineers’ determinations fail to reflect the extent of damage caused by Internal Sulphate Attack in the defective concrete. Their evaluations are based on the outdated IS:465 standard and ignore the Ministerial Guidelines that state the necessity to consider the impact of pyrrhotite. The stress and financial strain being placed on homeowners as a result of this unacceptable practice should not be underestimated.”
Donegal Homeowners protest at Engineers Ireland. Photo: Mica Action Group
Long-time campaigner Paddy Diver states, “It is unethical to ignore the latest scientific evidence. These engineers have a duty to homeowners and society to act ethically and ensure a permanent fix to people’s homes.”
MAG PRO Angela Ward adds that the practice of downgrading professional recommendations is responsible for: “The erosion of confidence in the integrity of the assessments provided by Housing Agency engineers. Homeowners find themselves in an untenable position, many facing significant financial losses and mental distress.”
The homeowners are urging Director General of Engineers Ireland, Damian Owens: “to take immediate action to ensure that every member of Engineers Ireland acts responsibly, ethically and with integrity by ensuring that the latest scientific research into the defective concrete issue in Ireland is observed to ensure all families affected can see the permanent reinstatement of their homes and lives for once and for all.”
