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Homeowners Trapped in Defective Homes: Urgent Action Needed to Address Mortgage-ability Crisis
- Updated: 14th December 2023
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has called on Government to commit to a cross-sectoral response to the issue of mortgageability of homes remediated under the defective block scheme, and other supports.
Addressing the Taoiseach in the Dáil today, Deputy Pringle said: “A recent statement from the Banking and Payments Federation regarding mortgageability of homes remediated under the flawed defective block scheme says:
“’Assurances regarding the future mortgageability of properties remediated under the grant scheme cannot be given by the banking sector alone. Future mortgageability is dependent on the sign-off and certification by others of remediation works under the grant scheme. It requires assurances by engineers, valuers, surveyors, insurers, conveyancing solicitors and any other party involved in the conveyancing transaction process, as would be standard for any property. This matter underscores the need for a cross-sectoral response through the establishment of a dedicated Oversight Committee, which the Banking and Payments Federation has formally requested of the Department of Housing.’
“Will your government establish a committee as envisaged by the Banking and Payments Federation?” the deputy asked.
Deputy Pringle said: “Also, the redress focus groups wrote to your ministers in early November requesting emergency funding for a support hub. Will you provide funding for that?
“And finally, new research commissioned by the Department of Housing now shows that pyrrhotite oxidation and internal sulfate attack are the main causes of the degradation which will also affect the foundations currently not covered in the legislation. Will you commit to bringing forward legislation to cover them?”
The deputy raised the issues during questions on policy or legislation.
In his response, the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said Deputy Pringle had raised a number of important issues. He said it wouldn’t be right to make commitments on the floor of the Dáil but said he will speak to the Minister for Housing on the matter and ask him to come back to Deputy Pringle directly.
