Just 5% of Donegal applicants have had defective concrete homes fixed

Sinn Féin spokesperson on finance, Pearse Doherty has said that some 108 homeowners have had works completed under the defective Concrete Blocks Scheme in the last five years out of 2,141 applicants.

Figures released to June 30 show that more than 2,796 applications have been lodged under the Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme across five counties, with Donegal continuing to account for the overwhelming majority.

Donegal has seen 2,141 applications to date, representing over three-quarters of the national total. Mayo follows with 437 applications, while Clare (155), LiFigures released to June 30 show that more than 2,796 applications have been lodged under the Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme across five counties, with Donegal continuing to account for the overwhelming majoritymerick (63) and Sligo (0) make up the remainder.

Across both the old and new schemes, 947 homeowners have submitted remedial works plans, with 908 having commenced work. However, just 203 homes have completed remediation, highlighting the slow pace of progress as households grapple with construction costs, paperwork, and delays.

Teachta Doherty said: “What the latest figures show is that the defective concrete block scheme is not working for the vast majority of affected homeowners.

“The scheme is designed to delay, frustrate, and exclude people. There have been fewer applications to the so-called enhanced scheme that the original scheme. Only 5% of properties in Donegal have been fully remediated.

“Far too many properties are being refused or delayed for long periods of time before final grants are awarded. The most glaring issue that the government have refused to recognise is that the grants do not cover the cost of remediating the homes. On top of that, it is paid in arrears means that only those with cash up front or an ability to borrow can proceed.

“The situation is only getting worse as the grant awards are not keeping up with construction sector inflation.

“Government must go back to the drawing board and introduce an end-to-end scheme run by the Pyrite Resolution Board to ensure 100% redress for all impacted homeowners. This is the only way to ensure that all those who did nothing wrong have their homes remediated or rebuilt in a timely and cost-effective manner.”