Mica families to
demonstrate in Buncrana
18.05.21
FAMILIES affected by the
defective blocks crisis in Inishowen are holding a
peaceful demonstration in Buncrana this Saturday, 22nd
May, at 2pm. People attending are being asked to
meet at the Shorefront, Buncrana from 1pm.
There will also be a simultaneous demonstration in
Letterkenny and families affected by the Pyrite issue in
Mayo are also taking to the streets in Ballina, at the
same time on Saturday. Both Donegal and Mayo families
are included in the Government’s Defective Block Scheme
launched in January 2020. These families are calling on
the Irish government to grant them the same treatment as
Pyrite families in the east of the country to enable
them to fix their homes. |
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Noel Noone's house in Quigley's Point is
affected by the defective blocks issue. |
Patrick Diver, an affected
homeowner and active campaigner on the issue from
Carndonagh, said: “Families affected by defective blocks
used in the construction of their homes are at the end
of their tethers. Our homes are crumbling around us and
we are trying to gather up all the necessary paperwork
and money to enable us to apply for the scheme.
“In January 2020, there was a huge sense of relief to
get the mica redress/defective blocks scheme over the
line. This scheme is supposed to cover 90% of the cost
of works to people’s homes. However, as time has gone on
and as we learn more about the scheme there are a number
of huge issues that are stopping many families from
applying for it.
“For example, to apply for the scheme in the first
place, families have to come up with approximately
5000-7000 euro to get the assessment and testing done.
This is a requirement to apply for the first stage. This
massive cost upfront means that a huge number of
families cannot even get on the first rung of the
ladder. Families may also not be able to borrow as they
may have been out of work due to Covid and banks will
not lend to them. Families are being left in an awful
situation and have nowhere to turn. This leaves them
with no option to even apply to get their homes fixed.
“Even if families can get the initial testing fees
together, they are then being asked to provide a
breakdown of costs for the remedial works. There is a
limit of 75k on an outer leaf replacement and 275k on a
full demolish and rebuild option. Both of these are
inclusive of VAT and include a 10% contribution from
each homeowner as well as covering the (approx. 10k)
cost of testing. This means that (at a maximum) families
have around 230-240k to rebuild their home. On top of
that fees for drawing up new plans and applying for
planning permission are not covered under the scheme
which are thousands of euro again. This budget is not
sufficient or enough to cover most of the prices that
are coming in. It means that families are looking at
costs of anything from 30k up to 100k to fix their
homes. Most families do not have that kind of money.
“If you compare this with what the Pyrite affected
families in Leinster received under the Pyrite scheme it
pales in comparison. For example pyrite families are
awarded 100% costs for remedial works. They also receive
costs for accommodation whilst the works are getting
done. They also have a cost of only 550 euro up front to
cover testing. We are therefore asking the Irish
Government to treat people in Donegal the same as Pyrite
affected families. Indeed this is what we were promised
by former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar when he visited Donegal
a few years ago. When compared with pyrite homeowners,
affected families in Donegal are being put at a serious
disadvantage.
“Another important point is that the costs estimated for
each remedial works option was put forward by Government
approx. 2-3 years ago. These projected costs do not take
into account inflation and the recent huge material
price increases due to Brexit. Many families are getting
quoted an increase in material costs of between 25-50%
even since January 2021. In addition, due to the high
demand builders costs are also rising massively.
“It is really important to point out that families in
Donegal do not want to have to take to the streets
during Covid. We are also conscious of the negative
press our county has received in the last few weeks due
to the high number of Covid cases and we don’t want to
add to any increase in Covid cases – that in fact is the
last thing we want. However, it must be remembered that
over the last 14 months when everyone in Ireland was
asked by the Irish Government to ‘stay home’ and to
‘stay safe’, so many families across Donegal who are
affected by defective blocks did not feel safe in their
homes. Indeed, our homes are falling down around us. We
can no longer be expected to stay quiet.
“Therefore, we are asking people across Donegal and Mayo
to join us this Saturday for a peaceful demonstration at
2pm in both Buncrana and Letterkenny in Donegal and
Ballina in Mayo to show support for the affected
families to demand that the Irish Government and our
political representatives review this scheme to make it
accessible to all families that need to avail of it. It
must be stressed that this is a peaceful demonstration
and although this is an emotive issue, we are calling on
all attendees to remain calm and respectful at all
times." |
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