TAOISEACH Simon Harris has vowed to “continue to listen and continue to respond the best we can” with respect to those suffering enormous stress in Donegal, impacted by the defective blocks crisis.
He was responding in the Dáil to Donegal TD Thomas Pringle, who reminded the Taoiseach of the success enjoyed by the 100% Redress Party in the local elections over the weekend, electing Joy Beard, Ali Farren, Denis McGee, and Tomás Seán Devine.
“We have worked very hard on this issue as a government. Minister McConalogue has worked very hard at the Cabinet table and we have now seen 1,644 applications for the previous scheme and 436 applications for the enhanced scheme,” said Taoiseach Harris.
“The 2022 Act, which we passed, underpins the new enhanced scheme, taking in Clare, Donegal, Limerick and Mayo. Sligo was included in the enhanced scheme last month.
“Today, the Cabinet did try to resolve various issues highlighted by affected homeowners trying to avail of SEAI. Minister Ryan will announce the details of that in due course, ” added the Taoiseach.
Following the Taoiseach’s remarks, Deputy Pringle returned to his feet in the Dáil to deliver his response. It was clear that the Killybeg’s-based Independent TD was not impressed.
“There are thousands, upon thousands, upon thousands of houses that have to be redressed. It’s a scheme that’s going to last 25 to 30 years at the rate that you’re going, and it’s a scheme that doesn’t meet the needs of very many people,” said Deputy Pringle.
“There are people looking at a build costing up to €80,000, and this is a 100% scheme? These are people who can’t get re-mortgaged because the banks won’t give them anything. A lot are pensioners who can’t Will the scheme on,” he added.
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