THE presentation of the enhanced mica redress scheme to Cabinet is expected to be delayed until June after a meeting of the party leaders did not go ahead as planned last Monday night.
The full mica bill and memo was expected to come before Cabinet on Tuesday however PRO of the Mica Action Group, Michael Doherty, said this is not likely to happen now until June 7.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Mr Doherty said they would rather have a scheme that is right than see it rushed through.
“Getting it right this time has to be a priority as opposed to rushing through. If it takes until the other side of summer recess we will be disappointed but not near as disappointed as getting a scheme that is not fit for purpose once again,” said Mr Doherty.
“We are pointing out the failures now in the existing enhanced scheme that is being proposed and if they are not prepared to take them on board then I would rather fight it out after summer recess.”
One of the biggest issues for the campaigners is the fact that the legislation excludes other deleterious materials that are also damaging properties as well as mica.
“We know the only outcome acceptable is that they have to take the scientific evidence and not ignore it and the scientific evidence says that the other deleterious materials, the likes of pyritite is the elephant in the room, it is not even mentioned. It is without doubt the most damaging of all the deleterious materials. It can’t be ignored and shouldn’t be ignored but that is not the Department’s position on it. That is a big concern for us.”
Other issues centre around the affordability of the scheme and that the €420,000 cap for properties is now out of date due to inflation. Mr Doherty said this cap needs to be raised to account for that as well as the rates which were agreed upon in February.
“We still anxiously await movement on that front and we haven’t been given any insight on that yet.”
There are also concerns around partial demolitions and what this will mean for homeowners if more problems emerge in the future.
“We are asking should anything be considered other than option one (full demolition) until we have the science that says that anything less will do. Our mantra right now is if in doubt take it out and that is every defective concrete block and foundation until the science is in place to say less will do.”
Homeowners are concerned about the real costs involved that are not covered under the scheme such as boundary walls, detached garages and foundations. Mr Doherty said some of the families impacted are willing to downsize if it means they are allowed to avail of the grant for their current house size and use the money left over to pay for these hidden costs.
Excluded homes is another issue that the action group is pushing the government on such as holiday homes and partially built houses around the county.
Mr Doherty said they need the TDs and councillors in the other counties affected by defective blocks to step up to the plate and insist upon the scheme being right.
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