*Photograph: Joe Buckley
PEOPLE IN HOMES damaged by pyrite “are living in purgatory,” a Kilrush councillor has claimed.
Clare County Council are to write to the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien (FF) seeking clarity and information concerning the pyrite redress scheme for households in the county.
It’s on foot of a motion from Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) who asked when individual owners of damaged homes would receive confirmation if they are eligible for funding to rebuild their homes.
Detail is also needed on if the Government will accept reports from private consultants in determining the damage to properties or will the confirmation have to come from the local authority. Homeowners also wish to know if the Government will consider 100 percent funding for those who may want to right size their homes for their current needs.
Flynn stated, “Clare is approved for access to the redress scheme but residents of crumbling homes in Clare need clarification and transparency from the Government in regard to timelines and this needs to be addressed urgently”.
Assurance was given by the Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) from the Chief Executive of the Council that they would be writing to the Minister on the subject. Cllr Flynn added, “It’s important we keep it front and centre, we’re looking for clear guidelines from the Minister, the Council can’t do anymore, they will need additional staff.
Fellow Shannon representative, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) said members of the Clare Pyrite Action Group are keen to known when details of the damaged threshold will be forthcoming. “The pyrite damage is visibly different to the mica damage, when will the SESI rates be available. Will an information company be put in place for Clare and Limerick so homeowners have a place to go to ask questions, the homeowners don’t know where they stand,” she said.
Information given by the Council to the Department of Housing has not been confirmed, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) commented. “People in these houses are in purgatory, everything is on hold. The damage threshold isn’t visible but underneath that it is falling down”. He was hopeful a reply would be forthcoming by the middle of January.
A “cumbersome bureaucratic process” cannot be allowed to occur, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) stressed. He said homeowners were “in an absolute unjust situation”. Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) stated, “Everybody in this Chamber has supported this from the beginning, as soon as it became aware in Clare we’ve acted in good faith. The uncertainty is causing a lot of anxiety. We need to keep the pressure on and stay united”.
Sixmilebridge based Cllr John Crowe (FG) admitted, “To be very honest, some of these people are living close to us and I can see the situation they are in, they are coming to us for clarity but we haven’t got it”. A timeline is needed “sooner rather than later,” Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) agreed.
