Minister signs off on regulations to approve redress for Clare pyrite homeowners

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  • Homeowners can apply in coming weeks
  • Major relief for those impacted

 

Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has welcomed the new this afternoon that Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien has signed off on regulations that will lead to the approval of redress for pyrite-impacted homeowners.

The long-awaited move will be of significant relief to those in Clare, who have been waiting on this news.

“This now paves the way for applications for redress for homeowners going live over the coming weeks,” said Deputy Crowe.

“I recently met with a number of Clare homeowners effected by pyrite in their properties at the Templegate Hotel and they expressed frustration that the signing of this regulation had been delayed.

“This delay related to some last minute issues that homeowners in Donegal were having with the redress scheme, but homeowners in Clare were anxious that everything would proceed as quickly as possible.

“I’ve been over and back with Minister O’Brien in recent weeks urging that these regulations would be signed off on so that redress can begin in earnest.

“I’m also hopeful that Clare County Council will be approved to have a facilitator employed within their staffing cohort so that there will be an expert individual working within the council to advise homeowners at each step of the application process and on what happens thereafter.

“I’ve met with homeowners on many occasions since being elected as a TD and I’ve also called in person to many of the affected households.

“I’ve been struck by how stressed these homeowners are and some of them have grappled with very serious health problems which I’ve no doubt have been exacerbated by the stress and anxiety caused by having pyrite in their homes.

“When redress gets underway, I think it’s important that the government accelerate plans to take a landmark legal case against the manufacturers and suppliers of defective blocks.

“It is right that the state should now foot the bill for redress but ultimately those who manufactured and sold these blocks must be held responsible.”

-ENDS-