Clare homeowners to be included in new blocks grant scheme

CLARE homeowners affected by pyrite are to be given access to a State grant scheme, after a campaign of almost two years.

Over the course of today (Tuesday, June 14), Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien will outline to Cabinet a new scheme for homes with defective concrete blocks. While the old scheme covered only Mayo and Donegal, Clare and Limerick will be included in the new grant. A general scheme for new primary legislation is being unveiled today. It is understood that a memo will follow next week, to seek approval for the publication of the legislation. 

While the inclusion of Clare is a major milestone for campaigners in this county, concerns remain about the eligibility criteria for the new grant, as well as the provision for consultation before the underpinning law is drafted. 

Senator Timmy Dooley gave a cautious welcome to the development. “Getting Clare included in the scheme is a first step and a welcome one,” he said. “I commend all of the work done to-date by the action group and the Council. Of course, it’s important to remember that this is only the heads of the bill. As we’ve said all along, the devil is in the detail. Clearly, there are a number of concerns. I welcome the fact that Clare is getting equal access, but there will be issues to be addressed.”

Dr Martina Cleary described Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) as “very, very pleased to be included” in the new scheme. “Finally, we have recognition from the Minister that pyrite is an issue in Clare,” she said “That’s very welcome.” The Crusheen woman described the campaign to access the grant as “extremely demanding”. “We have been made to go to extraordinary lengths to get onto this grant,” she said. “The demands made on us have been extreme.”

Dr Cleary reiterated CPAG’s concerns about the terms of the new scheme, as well as the consultation process to be undertaken. “We absolutely must have pre-legislative scrutiny,” she said. “The Minister, for example, has said he is already consulting with homeowners, but we’ve heard nothing. There must be a consultation process so that concerns with the new scheme can be addressed. We need a grant that is fit for purpose.”

The campaign for grant support for Clare homeowners began in September, 2020. Dr Martina Cleary set up the CPAG and, through The Clare Champion, called on other homeowners to come forward. Last July, the Council submitted a technical report to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) seeking access to the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme. This was followed up, in response to queries from the Department, with even more exacting technical data and the results of additional testing. An exhaustive campaign has been waged by the CPAG to highlight and document the extent of the issue in Clare. Research by group puts the number of affected homes at at least 1,000, while Clare County Council estimates it to be more than 600. A major conference was hosted in the issue by Dr Cleary and her colleagues at The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in May. 

Following a huge national protest in Dublin last June, at which CPAG joined with action groups in Mayo and Donegal, the government agreed to overhaul the original grant scheme. It agreed to raise the level of the grant from 90 to 100% of costs. The maximum grant will remain at €420,000.

It has also been reported that when the legislation for the new scheme comes before the Dáil, a special provision will allow the Housing Minister to add other counties as issues emerge.

Total costs nationally of repairing homes with defective blocks have been estimated to run to between €2.2and €2.7 billion.