Pringle: ‘A woman (70) has €80,000 to €90,000 expenses on top of redress scheme’

Independent TD, Thomas Pringle, has again called on the government to ensure the mortgageability of homes remediated under the defective blocks scheme and correct shortfalls in redress.

“People whose homes are affected by defective blocks are stuck between the banks, who say mortgageability of remediated properties is dependent on certification by engineers, valuers and surveyors who have raised issues over certifying based on the remediation options that are outlined in the government’s scheme,” Deputy Pringle said.

“This leaves property owners in an impossible situation. These concerns must be addressed, and the government must be open about what it is doing to address them.”

Pringle has previously called on the government in December to commit to a cross-sectoral response to the issue of mortgageability of homes remediated under the scheme.

“The government’s continuing disrespect for these homeowners is shocking,” he continued. “This comes on top of a redress scheme that is still not close to the 100 per cent redress these homeowners deserve. I met with a Donegal woman in her 70s who is looking at €80,000 to €90,000 in expenses on top of the redress scheme. She doesn’t know how she will come up with that money.

“I also met with a Donegal couple who are getting the maximum grant and are still looking at possibly another €80,000 to fix up their home. They still have to pay a mortgage while this is going on and find someplace to live.

“This is the so-called 100 per cent redress scheme. It’s appalling. I will raise the issue again in the Dáil this week and am submitting parliamentary questions to the Department to see what steps the government is taking to address the mortgageability of remediated homes. 

“People whose homes are affected by defective blocks have already waited years too long for the response from this government they need and deserve.”