Department challenges aspects of council’s pyrite report

SERIOUS questions have been raised over the council’s application to have the defective blocks grant extended to Clare, The Champion has learned.
Despite an assurance from the Housing Minister in August that a decision would be made within “a matter of weeks”, his Department is challenging several aspects of the council’s submission.
In November, Minister Darragh O’Brien told Clare Oireachtas members his Department’s concerns were not “insurmountable”. However, a letter issued on Monday poses far-reaching questions.
The document queries whether pyrite is the only cause of damage to the five homes tested. “It is unclear whether the presence of pyrite has manifested itself in structural wall damage, or if the walls are damaged either wholly or partially by another cause,” the seven-page letter states.
The document adds that while the technical report has confirmed excessive amounts of pyrite, “it has not been stated however that the damage which has been documented has manifested due to the presence of reactive pyrite, which is a crucial burden of proof for applicants in the existing DCB [Defective Concrete Blocks] scheme”.
The quality of external rendering has been questioned, and it is noted that three of the five homes tested had their wall cavities pumped with insulation.
“…This could be considered as a potential contributing factor to the onset of damage,” the letter states, with reference to one house.
The Department concludes that the technical evidence provided “does not support the authors’ conclusions that the damage is a consequence of pyrite induced expansion”.
It contends that other causes of damage, including “render failure/unsuitable insulation/workmanship” have not been ruled out.
The Department also asked the council to provide more details on the extent of the pyrite problem in Clare and a detailed breakdown of the costs incurred in making its submission.
Senator Timmy Dooley acknowledged that affected homeowners are now seriously concerned about the contents of the Department’s letter.
“They are worried, because they were under the impression that a relatively minor amount of information was required,” he said.
“It turns out that that’s not the case. Homeowners are deeply concerned and we will work to allay their fears. This is a relatively tough piece of work and we are all committed to get this information to the Department.”
He said Minister Darragh O’Brien has agreed to a request to meet Clare’s Oireachtas members to “facilitate the next stage in the process which is to get engineers on both sides around the table to resolve this”.
“It’s clear that a significant amount of further information needs to be provided by the consultant engineer on behalf of homeowners in Clare to satisfy the Department that the damage is as a result of pyrite. We need to end the pen pal exchange of letters and get everyone around the table for face-to-face discussion.”
Senator Dooley said he remains optimistic that, by the time legislation on the revised grant scheme has been signed off on by the Oireachtas, next February or March, Clare will be in included.
Deputy Cathal Crowe agreed that that timeframe is feasible. “We have seen timeline expectations move,” he said.
“My hope and expectation is that by the time Clare’s groundwork is done, the new scheme will have come through the Oireachtas and Clare will be ready alongside Mayo and Donegal.”
The Fianna Fáil TD described the impact of pyrite in Clare as “absolutely indisputable”.
He downplayed the seriousness of the Department’s queries.
“The queries in the letter might look like a a big deal, but to someone like the consultant engineer who eats and drinks this stuff, it may not be,” he said.
As regards the new grant scheme, Deputy Crowe acknowledged emerging shortcomings.
“There is a window of opportunity to look at revising the terms and conditions, especially in respect of the sliding scale of grant contributions,” he said.
Deputy Joe Carey welcomed the fact the Department has clarified its queries.
“I understand the council has been in touch with the Clare Pyrite Action Group on this and with the consultant engineer about preparing a response for the Department,” he said.
“It’s really important that all stakeholders are kept fully briefed. Prior to the official council response, it would be beneficial to have the council, the action group, the engineer and public representatives around the table to fight this battle together.”
As regards a timeframe for Clare’s access to the grant, Deputy Carey said it was important to be realistic given that Christmas is approaching.
“It would appear that this is an extensive letter, but the target should absolutely be to have everything finalised by the time the new scheme gets through the houses of the Oireachtas.”
Dr Martina Cleary founder of the action group declined to comment before the engineer’s response. She confirmed a protest is planned for December 18.
“This will be an ‘all we want for Christmas is a safe home’ march,” she told a meeting in Ennis. Dr Cleary appealed for the support of everyone affected by defective blocks as well as their immediate and extended families. She told The Champion that a venue in South East Clare will be confirmed later.