Adjusted levy no substitute for full-scale blocks inquiry

THE government’s decision to reduce the proposed levy on concrete products has been described as “literally a half measure” by the founder of the Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG). 

Dr Martina Cleary said the reduction to five percent of the levy announced in the Budget would still just bounce back on those who have been forced to remediate their homes because of defective concrete blocks. 

While the levy was unveiled as a means of funding the revised grant scheme for pyrite and mica-affected homeowners in Clare, Limerick, Donegal and Mayo, it generated widespread controversy over the likely impact on building costs.

The CPAG founder described the measure as a “facade” which fails to challenge those who supplied defective materials affecting thousands of homes. “Rather than this half measure, there should be a full-scale public inquiry into those quarries and suppliers responsible and a massive fine imposed on them,” she said.

“It is despicable that this revised grant is allowing those who caused the problem to just walk away. It is a clear signal to the industry that nothing has changed.”

Legislation to revise the grant scheme was signed into law in July, with concerns expressed over the nature of the scrutiny allowed. Deputy Michael McNamara tabled an amendment to the Bill, which, if accepted, would have required the Housing Minister to report on the number of legal actions against suppliers of defective materials.

“As it stands, the Act essentially removes any incentive for individual homeowners to take action,” he said.

“It’s now 12 months since Minister Darragh O’Brien said the possibility of government action was being looked at by the Attorney General. He has since said he would appoint a Senior Counsel, but that hasn’t happened yet. To my mind, it shows a total lack of determination on the part of government to pursue the real culprits.”

Dr Cleary also questioned the speed with which the legislation underpinning the new scheme was debated at the end of June, given the fact that the new grant has not yet opened to Clare homeowners.

“The government were going gung-ho on forcing the legislation through and creating a false emergency,” she said.

“We were afraid that they were forcing people to accept a scheme that had not been properly examined. Now we are in limbo. We have had no communication. We are facing into another winter and have no idea when we will be able apply for the grant. So, why such break-neck speed to ram in the legislation through back in June? We have no information on when or if there will be an information hub in this region to actually explain to people what they need to do to access the grant.”

This week, the government rowed back on plans to impose a ten percent levy on concrete products. It said the levy will now be five percent and introduced next September rather than April. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said the levy will now raise €32m each year to go towards funding remediation of defective homes.