Pyrite report needed before LPT exemption

A DECISION on exempting homes with defective concrete blocks from Local Property Tax (LPT) will not be made until the local authority submits a report on the scale of the issue to the Department of Housing.
The matter was raised at the local authority meeting by Councillor Donna McGettigan. On foot of her request to discuss an exemption, which central government is giving to homeowners in Donegal and Mayo, where a redress scheme for those affected by pyrite and mica is in place, an update was provided on the situation in Clare.
“As everyone knows we passed four motions on this issue at our meeting last October,” Cathaoirleach Councillor PJ Ryan said.
“Work is ongoing to have Clare added to the counties eligible to access the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme. Testing and sampling is now complete and a grant provided by Clare County Council for this.
“Over the coming weeks, the council will report to the Department and that will be the basis for a decision on Clare’s inclusion in the scheme. The council will seek the same exemption from the LPT as part of its submission to the Department.”