Defective blocks campaigners urge Darragh O’Brien to attend public meeting

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has been urged to attend a public meeting in Donegal with the owners of homes affected by defective blocks.

The Mica Action Group has written to the minister following an information meeting in Burt on Monday night where concerns about the enhanced defective concrete block remediation scheme were aired.

Hundreds attended the meeting which heard concerns from homeowners about building on existing foundations. Other issues highlighted included insurance companies not covering affected homes, banks not engaging with homeowners and how the scheme does not align with the science relating to the causes of defective blocks. Campaigners have consistently said the scheme, which could cost the State more than €2bn, will not deliver 100% redress to many homeowners.

The Mica Action Group has written to the minister following the “extremely well attended” meeting to “highlight critical obstacles that predominate” the new scheme and to invite him to come to Donegal.

The group said in the letter that “it is past time” that the minister  “attends a public meeting with  Donegal homeowners to genuinely listen to their feedback and address their concerns”.

“Minister O’Brien, you and your officials have been quite clear and vocal that you have taken the position that this scheme provides 100% redress and that it represents a significantly improved scheme from the original,” the letter says.

“Meeting with the homeowners in person should thus prove a straightforward process.

“We trust you will welcome this opportunity to engage directly with those impacted by this crisis. It is disappointing  that the second attempt at delivering a scheme should need to ‘evolve’, however, this is the reality, and should you be  genuine in your undertaking to alleviate the suffering of tens of thousands of people, you will prioritise the scheduling of a public meeting in Donegal.”

The Mica Action Group says it has been inundated with requests for support after the new scheme was launched earlier this month.

“In the absence of meaningful clarification and guidance from the Government,  homeowner representatives are once more in a situation where we are attempting to afford the support and  leadership that you and your colleagues have failed to deliver.”

Mica Action Group say 'Government has failed to listen to those affected'

Lisa Hone, Chair of the Mica Action Group, has accused the Government of not taking on board the thoughts of those impacted following Monday's release of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme

The group said Monday night’s meeting shows the new scheme “fails to take account of complexities that homeowners face at every turn”. 

“It is becoming increasingly clear that your written commitment to address ‘the core issues raised in relation to the current scheme...through immediate  actions’, has been ineffectual.” 

The commencement of the scheme “in the absence of consequential elucidation from Government”  has seen homeowners experience “considerable palpable apprehension and consternation,” the group said.