Clare redress access ‘premature’

DEPUTY Joe Carey has been told that a decision to extend a redress scheme to Clare homeowners affected by pyrite is “premature” until a full report on the extent of the problem has been compiled, writes Fiona McGarry.
The Fine Gael TD tabled a questions to the Minister for Housing asking him to report on work to incorporate Clare in the defective concrete block scheme and whether homeowners will be eligible for 100% of the costs.
Responding, Minister Darragh O’Brien outlined how Clare County Council is compiling a report on the extent of the problem in this county.
“Such analysis will provide the evidential basis necessary for the consideration of any extension of the scheme,” he said.
“Pending the receipt of and consideration of such analysis it would be premature to consider an extension of the scheme,” the minister added.
In respect of the existing scheme which only covers Mayo and Donegal, Minister O’Brien said he expects a review being undertaken by the working group to be completed by July 31.
The Fianna Fail minister added that this review “will inform any changes or improvements to the scheme as may be required, which I will bring forward after consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General”.