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Tag Archives: Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme

Clare Pyrite activists fear decade of pain before resolution

THE founder of the Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) has said she fears campaigners here could be forced into a ten-year battle for redress.  Dr Martina Cleary voiced concern that Clare homeowners are being driven down the same route as those in Mayo and Donegal, who campaigned for a decade to get access to a State-sponsored grant scheme. It follows a briefing from Clare County Council on Tuesday for members of CPAG and Oireachtas representatives. Officials outlined their ongoing efforts to respond to queries raised by the Department of Housing over a report seeking access to the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme. While a rigorous process of core sampling on five private homes formed part of this report, it has now emerged that the Department’s queries will necessitate further investigations of these properties.  Dr Cleary said the council expressed determination to meet the Department’s request for proof of a causal link between structural damage and the proven presence of pyrite. …

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Politicians accept patience wearing thin on pyrite

THERE was a large attendance of Oireachtas members and councillors at the recent pyrite protest in Ennis when politicians were warned that their seats could hang in the balance if redress isn’t provided soon. They could also face a further challenge in the form of election candidates standing on the issue of pyrite redress. Deputy Cathal Crowe told The Champion the frustration of homeowners was “very understandable”. “We have to respect where they are coming from,” he said. “They’re slowly watching their homes fall around them and with each month, the structure of their home deteriorates further.” In relation to a meeting with Minister Darragh O’Brien which was cancelled, at short notice, last week, Deputy Crowe was confident it would be rescheduled. “I’m in constant contact with Minister Darragh O’Brien and also with the redress group here in Clare,” he said. “Minister O’Brien made a firm commitment in Mary Hanley’s front lawn in August last year and he stands over …

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Government are ‘slighting county Clare’ says protestor

EMOTIONS ran high among those gathered at The Height in Ennis on Saturday for a rally to highlight the problem of pyrite in homes across the county. One West Clare homeowner urged everyone to stand up to the discrimination this county faces as it continues to be excluded from the State-backed redress scheme. Addressing the 200-strong gathering Linda O’Callaghan, who lives in Cooraclare, spoke of her anger and frustration. Her home has had extensive testing to prove the presence of defective material in the blocks, after she noticed severe cracks emerging some years ago. “Every single person living in County Clare should be livid with anger,” she said. “This Government is riding roughshod over the people of County Clare. This Government is discriminating against the people of County Clare and all the residents of County Clare, not just those with pyrite in their houses. “My house has pyrite. My house has cracks. My house has been assessed by an IS465-qualified …

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Pyrite protest to be ‘first of many’

OVER 200 people marched through Ennis this afternoon (Saturday, January 29) in what was described as “the first of many” protests by homeowners with defective concrete blocks.  Members of Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) were supported by campaigners from Donegal and Mayo – the only two counties currently covered by the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme; as well as homeowners from Limerick and Sligo. Speaking in the shadow of the O’Connell monument at The Height, campaigners from other counties pledged their support while homeowners here spoke of their frustration.  “The Minister for Housing visited my house on August 27 and he was such a lovely man,” Mary Hanley of CPAG told the crowd. “He was so pleasant, he was so nice and he was feeing so sorry for me. I said to him, ‘If this grant isn’t given soon, I’ll be six foot under’. His answer to me was, ‘Oh, not at all Mary no, a couple of weeks’. Now, …

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WATCH: Short film of Clare Pyrite homeowners’ struggle

AHEAD of a major protest in Ennis on Saturday (January 29), a short film has been released highlighting the struggle for redress of pyrite homeowners across the county.  The nine-minute film, by Simon Barr, is the third part of a series which also documents the mica crisis in Donegal and the impact of pyrite in Mayo. It hears from a number of homeowners, including a woman from Fanore who described how she had to sleep in her dining room at one point, amid fears that her gable wall would fall down during stormy weather. The piece traces the foundation of the Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) in September 2020 after Dr Martina Cleary put out an appeal for others affected to contact her. “Once I realised I wasn’t alone, there was great solace in that,” the Crusheen woman told Mr Barr.   The film goes on to follow the increasing numbers of homeowners that have come forward, with the membership …

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Howard seeks investigation into source of defective blocks

A PROBE into how defective blocks came to be used in Clare homes has been sought by a member of Clare County Council. Councillor Mary Howard tabled a motion asking that the authority would call on the Housing Minister “to initiate an investigation into how inferior blocks containing mica and pyrite were used to construct homes”. While there was strong support for her call, as well as an update to a motion tabled, on the matter, by Councillor Joe Cooney, concern was voiced about criticism of the council on the issue. Councillor Pat Hayes said that while there was huge support for everyone affected by pyrite, unfair criticism of the council had to be addressed. Outlining the reasons for her motion, Councillor Howard said she wished to show solidarity with everyone affected. “First of all, I want to send out a message of support to people who are watching their houses crumble,” she said. “The genesis of this is to …

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‘I don’t want my kids fearing their house will fall down’

EMOTIONS ran high at a meeting in Ennis on Friday night last when homeowners affected by pyrite voiced concern that they are still not eligible to apply for State redress. One homeowner, among the crowd of over 50 who attended, shared her story and appealed for action for the hundreds like her in Clare. She said she is particularly concerned over discussion in the media about the burden that the revised €2.2 billion Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme will put on the tax payer. “I have been a PAYE worker all my life,” she said. “I pay tax for very little in return, because I look at the health system and I look at the schooling system. I have two kids with ADHD and I have to fight for everything. “Can I boycott my taxes? Or will I end up in jail? “When I hear people saying, ‘Oh, we can’t fund this [scheme] with the taxpayer’s money… Jesus Christ, we’re …

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Furious reaction to newly revised blocks scheme

DEEP disappointment was expressed, at a meeting in Ennis of homeowners affected by pyrite at the fact the revised grant scheme makes no mention of this county. Despite the submission of a detailed technical report by the council in July and assurances in August from the Housing Minister that Clare would be given access to the grant within “a matter of weeks”, homeowners here are still waiting. More than 50 people gathered for the event which was also attended by the Mayor of Clare, Councillor PJ Ryan, deputies Joe Carey and Cathal Crowe and senators Timmy Dooley and Martin Conway. For Clare Pyrite Action Group’s second public meeting of the year, the tables were turned as members took the top table and politicians sat in the audience. High on the agenda was the revised Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme, unveiled on November 30 and still confined to Mayo and Donegal. “Clare is nowhere in this scheme,” said Dr Martina Cleary, …

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