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Mica campaigner 'confident' 100% redress will be delivered

A mica campaigner says she is 'confident' the Government will give 100% redress to affected homeo...
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

10.29 30 Sep 2021


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Mica campaigner 'confident' 10...

Mica campaigner 'confident' 100% redress will be delivered

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

10.29 30 Sep 2021


Share this article


A mica campaigner says she is 'confident' the Government will give 100% redress to affected homeowners.

A report outlining the position of the campaigners and Department of Housing officials is set to be published later.

It is expected to set out the differing views of both sides on how much costs should be covered under a new and improved scheme.

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Campaigners met with Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien on Wednesday to discuss redress for the defective blocks used to build their homes.

Ann Owens, a member of the Mica Working Group, told Newstalk Breakfast she believes the Government will deliver on a demand for full redress.

"I am confident, I am confident - I see a change in attitude.

"I think the Government clearly understand that the scheme is not working - that so many families cannot avail of the scheme as it now stands.

"It was never a 90/10 scheme... and there were so many obstacles to families accessing that: charges of up to 6,000 to get a lab to test cores, the payment of structural engineers, etc"

She says the meeting on Wednesday was a necessity.

"Yes, we were happy - it was part of the process, so it had to happen.

"Remember that we're getting to the endgame, so this is a culmination of 10 years campaigning.

"We have brought this from virtually the kitchen table to the Cabinet table.

"We want to get on with the job, we are in an emergency situation in these counties.

"We need to see decision-making, we need to see implementation, we need to actually save physical lives and limit further damage to families and to family life."

A summary is due to be presented to the homeowners on Thursday, which Ann says will be looked at carefully.

"These would then have to be scrutinised and ratified by family members.

"Darragh O'Brien also said that he would be presenting a memo to Cabinet within two to three weeks - he just said he couldn't do that any earlier."

Any amendments to the existing scheme will require legislative changes.

Mica campaigner 'confident' 100% redress will be delivered

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While Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has said he is confident a 100% redress scheme will be delivered.

He told Newstalk on Wednesday: "I am confident now that we will get a scheme that is fit for purpose".

"I am very clear that that needs to be a scheme that delivers full compensation for the homeowners in terms of getting their homes fixed and I am confident that, working with my colleagues, we can deliver that over the time ahead."

Main image: Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien (right) with Mica Action Group chairperson Ann Owens (left, in white t-shirt) outside Leinster House. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

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