Pringle: Government must ensure mortgageability of remediated homes
- Updated: 20th February 2024
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has again called on Government to ensure mortgageability of homes remediated under the defective blocks scheme and to correct shortfalls in redress.
Deputy Pringle said: “People whose homes are affected by defective blocks are stuck between the banks, who say mortgageability of remediated properties is dependent on certification by engineers, valuers, surveyers and others; and engineers, who have raised issues over certifying based on the remediation options that are outlined in the Government’s scheme.
“This leaves property owners in an impossible situation. These concerns must be addressed, and Government must be open about what it is doing to address them,” he said.
The deputy had called on Government in December to commit to a cross-sectoral response to the issue of mortgageability of homes remediated under the scheme.
Deputy Pringle said: “The Government’s continuing disrespect for these homeowners is shocking.
“And this comes on top of a redress scheme that is still not close to the 100 per cent redress these homeowners deserve. I met with a Donegal woman in her 70s who is looking at €80,000 to €90,000 in expenses on top of the redress scheme. She doesn’t know how she will come up with that money.
“I also met with a Donegal couple who are getting the maximum grant and are still looking at possibly another €80,000 to fix up their home. They still have to pay a mortgage while this is going on and find someplace to live.
“This is the so-called 100 per cent redress scheme. It’s appalling.
“I will raise the issue again in the Dáil this week and am submitting parliamentary questions to the Department to see what steps Government is taking to address mortgageability of remediated homes. People whose homes are affected by defective blocks have already waited years too long for the response from this Government they need and deserve,” he said.
