'A national scandal' – Mayo councillor blasts defective block crisis costs

A Mayo County Councillor has moved to label the defective blocks crisis, which has swept the county in recent years, as ‘a national scandal’.

The situation saw many homes built using substandard concrete blocks that, over time, have cracked and crumbled.

Yesterday (Thursday, November 27), Cabinet approved a bill to widen the group of homeowners eligible to benefit from the increased grant scheme.

Mayo County Council play an active role in the administration process, and the cost of that was questioned by Councillor Harry Barrett at the meeting to discuss the 2026 Council Budget.

“I'd just like to know, have we been given extra finances to administer that? And what's it costing us? Because that is the biggest scandal this country has faced in the last 50 years,” Cllr Barrett stated.

“Defective materials were left on the properties, these properties were built, families suffered, and the providers and the whole industry gets away scot-free and it's then left on the council.”

READ MORE: 'You're back at square one, only 25 years older' - Mayo Pyrite homeowners

Cllr Barrett also threatened not to support the passing of the Budget.

“It's a national scandal, it's a local scandal. I'll be honest, if it's costing us money here in this council, if it's costing the rate payers and the people of County Mayo a single euro, I'm not supporting this budget.”

The circumstances surrounding the administration of the defective block Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme was not the only item the independent Councillor was threatening to not support the Budget passing over.

Cllr Barrett asked the meeting, “Is the transition from water services to Irish Water costing us money? Have we been reimbursed for that?

“If that's costing us money, I'm not supporting this budget for the same reason. Government have to take control of that. It's their idea, they finance it.

“Thirdly, the reduction in centrally funded pensions, is that costing us money? If it is, I'm not supporting it.

“These are things left on our doorstep.”

READ MORE: Mayo council 'morally and legally' obliged to support pyrite estate residents

The Director of Finance, Peter Duggan, moved to allay concerns, stating that any costs for the Defective Blocks Scheme were covered by the Department of Housing.

He also stated that the transition to Irish Water was also being funded by the government, bar some ‘legacy issues’.

The Director also clarified that those who joined in recent times would see their pensions funded by the Department; however that those who had joined earlier would see their pensions funded by the local authority.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme