Mayo TD calls for fully funded defective concrete blocks scheme for social homes
Rose Conway-Walsh TD warns Government not to repeat shortcomings of existing homeowners’ redress scheme
Mayo TD Rose Conway-Walsh has called on the Government to ensure that its long-awaited scheme for local authority homes affected by defective concrete blocks is fully funded, workable and fit for purpose.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Conway-Walsh said families in Mayo had already waited years for assistance and warned that the Government must not repeat the mistakes associated with the existing defective concrete blocks scheme for homeowners.
“People living in local authority homes in Mayo desperately need this scheme,” she said. “They have waited for years in crumbling homes, therefore it is absolutely critical that the Minister listens to the people directly affected and gets this right from the beginning.”
The Sinn Féin TD said the current scheme did not genuinely provide 100 per cent redress, with many homeowners facing bills of tens of thousands of euro.
She said the existing scheme could not simply be expanded to cover social housing and warned that local authorities must not be left facing funding or resource gaps.
“We also need clarity on testing, which is currently taking far too long, and assurances that affected homes can be rebuilt to current building and energy-efficiency standards,” Deputy Conway-Walsh said.
The Mayo TD also stressed the need for suitable alternative accommodation for tenants while remedial or rebuilding work is carried out.
“Crucially, proper alternative accommodation must be provided for tenants while work is carried out,” she said.
Deputy Conway-Walsh said Mayo had years of experience dealing with the defective concrete blocks crisis and urged the Government to learn from affected communities.
“The Government must learn from that experience, work with affected communities and opposition parties, and ensure this scheme is properly funded and genuinely fit for purpose,” she said.
“People in Mayo have waited long enough for this and cannot afford for the Government to repeat the same mistakes again and again.”