Clare’s Fine Gael TD says quarries and the construction industry should be pursued to ensure 100 percent redress is provided to those impacted by defective concrete blocks.
It comes as the Taoiseach says a new scheme will be proposed before Cabinet early next month.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar told the Dail earlier this week that the ‘general impact’ of the cost of 100 percent redress for the taxpayer ‘has to be considered’, throwing into doubt the possibility of 100 percent State redress.
It comes amid frustration for Clare homeowners about being accepted into the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme, with the Department of Housing telling Clare FM that it will make a decision on Clare County Council’s application ‘as soon as possible’.
No definite date for the move is yet known, despite Minister Darragh O Brien’s insistence a decision would be made ‘within weeks’ nearly a month ago.
It’s prompted Clare Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey to seek a meeting with his party leader on the issue, along with Donegal TD Joe McHugh and Mayo Deputy Alan Dillon.
Deputy Carey says the Department needs to approve Clare County Council’s application to the scheme urgently – and that some of the suppliers responsible for the issue should be pursued to help fund an enhanced form of compensation.
The Vice Chair of the Clare Pyrite Action Group says ‘most people’ in this county will be unable to rebuild their homes without 100 percent redress being provided by the State.
More than 90 homes and two estates here are now estimated to be impacted by pyrite structural defects.
Drumline homeowner Mary Hanley, whose home was visited by the Housing Minister last month, says affected homeowners will struggle to rebuild even if they receive full compensation.
The Taoiseach says the proposed enhanced compensation scheme will be presented to Cabinet early next month.
Further talks about the faulty blocks are taking place today, between campaigners and Department of Housing officials.
Micheál Martin says they’ll be finished in the next week.
