Homeowners in Co Donegal are expressing frustration with the Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme after having their engineer’s recommendation of full demolition downgraded to partial remediation. According to Coleman Legal, 85 clients in the scheme have had their recommendations “downgraded” by the Housing Agency, with another 35 homeowners potentially facing the same situation. One homeowner, Joe McBride, received a lesser remediation option despite his engineer’s report recommending full demolition, highlighting concerns about the structural integrity of affected homes.
The Chairperson of the Mica Action Group, Lisa Hone, emphasized the lack of scientific evidence supporting partial remediation, urging for a more comprehensive approach. A review of the standardised protocol used in the Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme is currently underway by the NSAI, aiming to enhance sampling and testing protocols for affected homes. The research consortium headed by Professor Paul Dunlop found that a mineral called pyrrhotite is the primary cause of concrete failure in Donegal, prompting calls for revised standards to address internal sulfate attack.
The Department of Housing is monitoring the situation and plans to review the scheme based on any updated standards from the NSAI. With over 2,200 applications in the scheme, it is crucial to address the concerns of homeowners affected by defective concrete blocks.