DONEGAL County Council is to hold a special meeting tomorrow to discuss the steps they must take to immediately help those families whose homes are worst affected by defective concrete blocks.
The meeting will also discuss the steps to provide alternative accommodation urgently and to seek an update on a recent meeting with the Minister for Housing.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Councillor Gerry McMonagle said he made the request on the back of the council’s recent meeting with the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien.
The minister met with a delegation from the local authority to discuss a number of motions that have been submitted by councillors on a range of issues pertaining to defective concrete blocks.
The Sinn Féin councillor said they have been told they will get news today, but as of now, he has not heard anything constructive.
He added that he requested the meeting tomorrow so the council would continue to keep the pressure on the department and to make sure that those who need the necessary help with alternative accommodation this Christmas can get it.
Following the emergency meeting with the minister last week it was announced that Department of Housing was to give homeowners in the worst situations access to €15,000.
Councillor McMonagle said it was a “positive announcement” but in reality a week later the council still had not received confirmation from the department to proceed.
He believes the council should consider taking the funds out of their budget to get the ball rolling while they wait on the department to respond.
“They need those who are in need of accommodation sorted out as soon as possible,” Councillor McMonagle said.
Despite the departmentals delays Gerry McMonagle said he remained hopeful they will get some good news tomorrow morning at the special meeting.
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