‘School communities are living with uncertainty, displacement and prolonged stress’

Donegal’s Deputy Charles Ward has called for the immediate establishment of a dedicated counselling and trauma support hub for children and families impacted by the defective concrete crisis.

Speaking following engagement with Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, the 100% Redress Deputy said the scale of trauma being experienced in affected communities amounts to a humanitarian crisis for children and young people.

“We are dealing with entire estates where homes are affected,” said Deputy Ward. This means that whole school communities are living with uncertainty, displacement and prolonged stress.”

Deputy Ward highlighted peer-reviewed research from the University of Ulster which found alarmingly high levels of mental health difficulties among families living in defective concrete

homes. The study reported rates of depression at 30 per cent, severe anxiety at 20 per cent, complex PTSD at 15 per cent, and suicidal ideation at 35 per cent - figures that are significantly above national averages.

“Children are living in homes that are cracking, shifting and deteriorating around them,” said Deputy Ward. “Many have seen their families face years of uncertainty, financial strain and upheaval. We cannot ignore the psychological impact this is having nor can we allow these children to fall through the cracks of an overstretched system.”

Deputy Ward acknowledged the efforts of local Family Resource Centres and community groups, as well as the proactive work of childcare committees on the ground. However, he stressed that existing services are not equipped to cope with the sheer scale of need in regions where thousands of homes are affected.

“While current supports are welcome, they are simply not sufficient for the magnitude of what we are facing. Asking schools to absorb additional counselling needs within existing allocations is not realistic where entire student populations are impacted.”

Deputy Ward has championed the creation of a centralised support hub in impacted areas, leveraging legislative measures to ensure coordinated action across departments. This hub is designed to offer accessible counselling services to children, young people, and their families, addressing the long-standing trauma associated with the crisis.

Notably, this initiative aligns closely with the extensive research conducted by Roisin Gallagher, an affected homeowner and dedicated campaigner. Gallagher's work has been instrumental in highlighting the ongoing impact of the crisis, which has persisted for over 15 years. Her efforts underscore the urgent need for decisive action to prevent the trauma from being passed down to future generations. The Defective Blocks Crisis Support Hub, as envisioned by Roisin Gallagher, is a physical and welcoming space that embodies the collaborative spirit needed to tackle this profound issue.

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Deputy Ward has confirmed that the Minister has indicated a willingness to examine potential cross-departmental solutions and to explore whether additional supports can be mobilised.

“This is about recognising the scale of what is happening and responding accordingly,” said Deputy Ward. “Our children deserve stability, safety and proper psychological support. We cannot allow another generation to carry the burden of this crisis alone.”

Deputy Ward concluded by reaffirming his commitment to continue pressing for urgent and adequate supports for all affected families.