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MAG have positive meeting with
Minister Damien English
17.07.18
MEMBERS of the Mica
Action Group (MAG) met with Damien English,
Minister of State at the Department of Housing,
Planning and Local Government and Joe McHugh,
Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the
Department of Culture on Friday, July 13th in Letterkenny.
The Mica Action Group is a voluntary group formed in
early 2014 by individuals whose own homes are
cracking due to defective blocks. The objective of
the group is to seek redress for homeowners affected
by this issue. |
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Members of the Mica Action Group meeting
with Minister Damien English on July 13, 2018. |
Ann Owens, MAG
chairperson said: “In
particular, MAG wanted to ask about any government
funded redress scheme for householders in Donegal
whose homes have been affected by defective
blocks/mica.
“Whilst the minister did not formally announce a
redress scheme at this point in time, he did provide
solid assurance that the publication of the draft
protocol by the National Standards Authority of
Ireland and the ongoing public consultation process,
are vital in paving the way towards a government
funded redress scheme. Importantly, Minister English
also confirmed that talks to prepare for redress
with government officials, technical and legal staff
and the Minister for Finance (around funding of the
scheme) are now ‘at an advanced stage’.
“Minister Joe McHugh indicated that in his opinion,
we are at the ‘serious business stage now’, at
government level in conjunction with the ‘heavy
lifters’ Eoghan Murphy, Minister for Housing and
Pascal Donoghue, Minister for Finance.
Ann went on to say: “Minister English confirmed
that in his estimation, following completion of the
public consultation process, the training of
engineers is to begin in Autumn 2018 with
building/remedial work commencing in early 2019,
subject to finalization of funding matters.
Ann Owens concluded:
“We were also adamant that we would not tolerate certain
providers of building materials, who were involved
in providing defective products that caused this
issue, to be the main beneficiaries under any
redress scheme.
“Overall, MAG were unanimous in
their perception that the Minister was genuine, and
committed to seeing a solution to fixing the homes
of those affected. We left the meeting feeling very
positive and hopeful for the future for all
homeowners affected by this terrible issue.” |
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