Government must stop dragging heels and increase grant scheme cap for all Mayo homeowners affected by Pyrite – Rose Conway-Walsh TD

Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway-Walsh TD, has again appealed to the government to honour the commitment given last Autumn to make the increase in the cap for the Defective Block Grant Scheme available for all homeowners availing of the scheme and not just new entrants.

Deputy Conway-Walsh has accused the government of “dragging its heels” on this for months.

Teachta Conway-Walsh said:

“This is a straightforward amendment to the 2022 legislation, and it should have been brought through the Dáil and the Seanad before the election late last year as Sinn Féin had called for.

“Our fears have now been realised, a large number of homeowners are facing real financial hardship trying to make final payments to builders for remediation work to their homes.  These delays are costing people up to €42,000 of a shortfall.

“The Minister’s response to my parliamentary questions indicates that 287 homeowners in Mayo are being put under enormous financial pressure, as they currently cannot access the enhanced scheme.

“There is no excuse for these delays.  Government have been dragging its heels. 

“These amendments to the legislation do not have to come before the Oireachtas Committees.  They could have been brought before the Dáil and the Seanad at any stage since the election and speedily passed as they have the support of the opposition, if they honour the commitments made late last year.

“These delays are cruel.  They are causing unnecessary anguish to many families across Mayo.  I appeal to Minister James Browne and the Government to urgently sort this out once and for all.  

“Sinn Féin will continue to raise this matter in the Dáil though all available means.”

The responses to Deputy Conway-Walsh Parliamentary Questions can be read here.