Dehumidifiers sought to help heat homes with defective concrete blocks

Dehumidifiers have been sought as a short-term solution to heat homes with defective concrete blocks.

Cllr Tomás Seán Devine brought a motion on the issue to the January meeting of Letterkenny-Milford municipal district.

The 100% Redress councillor asked: “Can this council support my call in finding some kind of financial help for heating, and dehumidifiers for those living in DCB homes which are owned by the council. I have visited many of these homes and between dampness and cracks they are very hard to heat. In light of this Government not in any rush to remediate their own stock, I believe we need to do something in the short term.”

Cllr Devine said that dehumidifiers would “go a long way” to help defective block homeowners in the short term. He emphasised that DCB homes are especially vulnerable to dampness and issues with rodents, as well as being “impossible to heat”.

“I know a lady who has been waiting for three years for the council to look at her home,” said Cllr Devine. “It’s not nice living in one of these homes.”

Cllr Michael McBride seconded the motion, agreeing that it was “unacceptable” that anybody would be waiting for that length of time.

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In a written response, Donal Walker, Housing, MD Services and Capital Projects said: “If repair works are required to any Council owned social home in the county, the tenant should contact Housing Services in the respective MD and these requests will be dealt with in accordance with normal practice.  

“Donegal County Council is in regular contact with the Department to get updates on the commencement of a remediation scheme for social homes, this engagement will continue in 2026.”