Public meeting of Mayo homeowners impacted by defective concrete blocks
The North Mayo Pyrite Group is inviting homeowners and asset owners who are impacted by defective concrete blocks to an open meeting in the Merry Monk, Killala Road, Ballina, on Tuesday, March 26, at 7 p.m.
Over the last number of years, homeowners in the county have engaged with the government on two separate schemes, neither of which have resulted in an effective solution for homeowners to fully remediate their home.
A spokesperson stated: "We have entered countless working groups, a mechanism to elongate the traumatic suffering on each and every family member impacted.
"There was a commitment by the government to review the scheme six months after launch.
"We are three months past that date and no review has taken place."
Homeowners are experiencing significant issues with the scheme and parameters surrounding the scheme including but not limited to the following.
* Lack of affordable/temporary accommodation.
* Rejection of homes onto the scheme due to damage threshold.
* Withholding of engineer fees from homeowners who applied onto the previous scheme of these rejected homes.
* Significant cash flow issues – The scheme ethos is “pay first and then reimburse."
* No advance of funding to manage cost of engineer fees (approx. €15k).
* Lack of funding to match rental accommodation / storage cost (upfront costs of up to €5k being incurred).
* No support from the banks for upfront demolition/building funding costs.
* Little support from banks to offer top up mortgages/loans to homeowners as required due to the scheme NOT being 100%.
* Disadvantage for homeowners who have advanced and hit the €420k with no access to rental/storage funding (€20k).
* Deduction of previously spent testing funding (€7k), resulting in an immediate deficit of €27k.
* Delays with the progression of new entrants onto the scheme.
* No confirmation on the mortgageable/insurability of a home once re-mediated.
* Removal, testing and replacement of foundations.
* SEAI grants not available.
* 20-year clause for landlords
* Options to downsize and not penalise.
The spokesperson added: "We understand the real struggle to make ends meet while trying to navigate this red tape process.
"We invite you to attend and voice your concerns openly on items which are impacting you as a result of this faulty scheme.
"While there are so many homeowners impacted, there are homeowners who are not aware of the threat inside their own four walls, as well as significant numbers of vital assets in our community left outside of the scheme; boundary walls, garages, creches, medical health centers, holiday homes, partially built homes, farm buildings.
"This issue is not restricted to north Mayo. It's vital everyone in the county is aware of the devastating impact defective concrete blocks have on your home.
"We invite those impacted and the general public to join with homeowners in our demands to right the wrongs and join the victims in their quest for justice that will enable everyone to move forward in a meaningful way."