The Clare Pyrite Action Group has expressed hope that a decision will be made quickly on the possible extension of a support scheme to Clare.
Minister of State, Malcolm Noonan, has revealed that the Department of Housing is engaging with Clare County Council Officials on the matter, in a process that could spell good news for impacted homeowners.
An expert panel was established four years ago, after significant cracking of external walls was recorded in houses in Donegal and Mayo.
Following extensive research and analysis, the panel published a report which found that excessive amounts of damaging materials, namely mica or pyrite, contained in the aggregate used to manufacture the concrete blocks was to blame.
It’s estimated that up to 5,800 homes in Donegal and almost 400 homes in Mayo could be affected.
A 20 million euro scheme was later opened to affected homeowners in those two counties, and they can apply for up to 225,000 euro to carry out necessary remediation works.
But in other areas, no such remedy is available, including to the more than 40 homeowners in Clare are having the same problem.
Clare County Councillors recently passed a motion calling on the local authority to write to the Housing Minister calling for the scheme to be extended to this county, while in the Dáil, Clare’s Independent TD, Michael McNamara echoed that call.
He doesn’t see any reason why people here should be treated differently.
Responding, Junior Housing Minister Malcolm Noonan expressed sympathy with those caught in this distressing situation and has acknowledged that it’s very worrying for those affected.
The Green Party representative revealed that the Department is engaging with Clare County Council Officials on the matter, in a process that could spell good news for impacted homeowners.
This has been welcomed by the Clare Pyrite Action Group as a ‘sign of hope’ that their nightmare might soon come to an end.
Founder of the group, Dr Martina Cleary, who herself is experiencing problems with pyrite in her home, hopes the process won’t be unduly prolonged and over complicated.
