Pyrite Remediation Scheme must be made fit for purpose

​Fianna Fáil TD Darragh O’Brien has described the Government's Pyrite Remediation Scheme as grossly inadequate. Deputy O’Brien has called on Minister Simon Coveney to overhaul the current scheme which is unfit for purpose and continuing to leave thousands behind.

Deputy O’Brien commented, “We are now in the third year of the remediation scheme, however, many families whose homes are literally falling apart with pyrite have yet to receive any support whatsoever from the State. They have been expected to live indefinitely in totally inadequate and hazardous conditions. 


"I have continually raised the concerns of home owners who I am in regular contact with and who are left in limbo. These people have waited far too long for help from the State despite the hard work and best efforts of staff, the Pyrite Remediation Board is working with extremely limited legislation and resources.


"There are an estimated 72,000 homeowners affected. However, it appears that fewer than 1000 homes have been accepted into the Government’s Pyrite Remediation scheme. The numbers of applications are severely limited due to the irrationally high threshold applied under the scheme.
 
"In its current form the scheme only addresses the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the extent of the pyrite problems in hundreds of homes in north Dublin. The criteria must be expanded to capture all homeowners affected by pyrite but currently ineligible for remediation.


"Leaving aside the damage, a house with pyrite is valueless, until it is remediated. It also must be extended to include reimbursement for families who have been forced to pay for repairs themselves.


"There is further issue in that homeowners with pyrite are are entitled to an exception from the local property tax, however, many homeowners are encountering difficulty in securing this immunity. It is therefore imperative that this exemption is made available among all those eligible.  

“I have tabled a series of questions which will be answered by the Minister and his Department in the next week; including how many homes have been remediated to date. It is time for the Government to realise their mistake and order a structured, reasoned review to expand and extend the scheme,” pointed out the Deputy.