Taoiseach to consult Minister after failure to visit floodplain Buncrana estate

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will consult with Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Kevin Boxer Moran in regards to Elm Park in Buncrana.

Residents of Elm Park are calling for relocation from defective block homes, who say they do not want to rebuild their houses where the River Crana burst its banks during the heavy rain storm which brought flooding to parts of Inishowen in August 2017.

The 100% Redress TD Charles Ward asked the Taoiseach to give an update on the situation, having heard that Minister Moran and Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Christopher O’Sullivan would be making their way to Buncrana, which has not been the case. 

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Deputy Ward said: “In July, I informed you that the houses in Elm Park, Buncrana, are facing immediate danger. The houses contain defective concrete and were built on a flood plain. In response, you assured me that Minister Boxer Moran and Minister O'Sullivan would be visiting the residents over the recess, which they failed to do, but I understand that meetings took place and a decision has been made in relation to this.”

Deputy Ward asked: “Taoiseach, when will you inform the residents of the Ministers’ decision and end the misery and uncertainty for these families?”

In response, the Taoiseach said that the legislation regarding retrospective payments is ‘being worked on very intensively’ and ‘we will see its publication shortly’ and assured Deputy Ward that he would consult with Minister Moran regarding Elm Park.

Deputy Ward urged the Taoiseach not to fail the impacted homeowners in next week’s budget. He has urged the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, to ensure that funds will be made available for homeowners on the defective concrete scheme in the Budget, which will take place on Tuesday, October 7.

Deputy Ward warned: “If you have failed to properly address this crisis in yet another budget, Taoiseach, you will have failed impacted homeowners once again.

“It is a disgrace that we are now facing into October and legislation regarding retrospective payments for homeowners on the defective concrete scheme has still not been published, despite your Housing Minister claiming it would be prioritised in June.”