Mica Action Group say 'Government has failed to listen to those affected'

The Mica Action Group have expressed serious concerns over the rervised Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme, which expects homeowners to “face major obstacles or be excluded completely”.

The revised scheme was announced on Monday by Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien. It will provide financial support to affected homeowners in counties Donegal, Mayo, Limerick and Clare whose dwelling had been damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks in its construction. Grants of up to €420,000 are available for affected homeowners depending on the work required under the scheme.

The scheme is now open to new applications and transitional arrangements for the transfer of applicants from the current scheme to the new scheme are in place. Existing applicants to the original scheme will also be able to benefit retrospectively from the enhancements being introduced under the new scheme.
Lisa Hone, Chair of the Mica Action Group, has accused the Government of not taking on board the thoughts of those impacted.

“Despite declarations of Government Ministers, TDs and Senators expressing urgency and concern about the seriousness of the issue and the devastating impact on those affected, homeowners feel utterly let down that this has not been translated into actions,” she said. “Government has failed to genuinely listen and address practical issues faced by those affected and has persistently disregarded homeowners in desperate situations with cold indifference.

“Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien claims positive engagement with homeowners, however, those affected do not regard having pre-legislative scrutiny denied, legislative and regulatory amendments ignored, their genuine concerns serially dismissed or being excluded completely as positive engagement.

“The Minister also talks about schemes evolving; however this is Government’s second go at getting this scheme right. There is no excuse why this scheme should not fully resolve the issues, however, this is not the case. Their refusal to take on board the complexities and scale of the issue, means that serious flaws and gaps remain.”

“MAG and many affected homeowners alike have articulated serious concerns about the revised scheme with regard to the exclusion of foundations, the failure to prioritise the vulnerable, the absence of suitable accommodation, the issues surrounding the Certificate of Remediation including the lack of meaningful and timely engagement with the banking and insurance sectors, the forcing of people to build to lapsed construction standards and the clear fact that this scheme does not represent 100% of true costs and will undoubtedly leave very significant numbers of homeowners with shortfalls of tens of thousands of euros.

“It is inexplicable, beyond a sheer lack of political will, why Government did not adopt a more common sense, solution-based approach. Zero-cost options such as penalty-free downsizing, transfer of eligibility and side-by-side building would provide greater flexibility for homeowners and would not cost the State a cent more.

“It is also important to remember that thousands of homes and other affected structures are excluded – they currently have no scheme, despite being victim to the same regulatory and market surveillance failures that the State presided over for years and years in the production of construction materials. If Government think the DCB Scheme is a resolution, they should ask themselves why over 2,000 families and growing, feel they need to sign up to a legal case to seek true redress.”

Key features of the Scheme include 100% grants subject to an overall maximum grant of €420,000 per dwelling; grant rates in keeping with advice from SCSI; a government guarantee in the form of a second grant option if required for a period of 40 years; a revised application process which removes the financial barrier to scheme entry; an independent appeals process for applicants; alternative accommodation and storage costs and immediate repair works to a maximum value of €25,000; the expertise of the Housing Agency in assessing applications; the inclusion of RTB registered rental properties; the inclusion of Clare and Limerick in the enhanced scheme upon commencement and the option for other counties to enter the scheme; exempt development status for like for like remediation works completed under the scheme.

MAG is particularly concerned how the most vulnerable will navigate the demands of the scheme.
“Is it reasonable to demand that thousands of homeowners of advanced age, those dealing with profoundly serious illnesses and/or disability navigate a complex three-stage application process and project manage a demolition, rebuild and two house moves?,” Hone added.

“It beggars belief that this is what Government is asking them to do. The lack of care from Government of the practical demands the scheme puts on vulnerable homeowners and their families is deeply troubling. Homeowners can avail of an accommodation and storage allowance with the new scheme, but it does not magically produce the homes that people require. Many homeowners dealing with illness and disability tell us it is impossible for them to find suitable accommodation.
“If they can’t find alternative accommodation, they can’t access the scheme. The MAG homeowner survey indicates there are at least 3,200 homeowners with chronic health conditions, 2,600 people with chronic mental illness and a further 2,600 homeowners with mobility issues.

"In addition, the general lack of alternative accommodation means homeowners face the prospect of being uprooted from their communities away from schools, work and family support networks.”

The MAG state only 37 houses have been remediated in the three years since the original scheme was launched in 2020.
They added: “MAG also has concerns about whether the new scheme has sufficient resources to operate in an efficient and responsive manner. All Government bodies who administer the scheme have a responsibility to understand the impact of their actions on the homeowners concerned, given the sensitivities surrounding this issue.

"Utmost consideration must be made of homeowners’ circumstances in the communication, responsiveness and provision of information to avoid any further unnecessary stress.

“To date, this has not been the case with homeowners feeling abandoned to an information vacuum. Over 5000 homes are estimated to be affected in Donegal alone, yet just over 1300 have applied to the original scheme, indicating that there is a tsunami of those affected waiting in the wings.

“Government can no longer live on promises. They must now face the acid test of putting the scheme into operation, where the reality for all concerned will quickly become apparent.”