100% Mica redress is ‘not off the table’
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THE Housing Minister has left the door open for a 100% redress scheme for households affected by the devastating Mica crisis.
The news came as a survey published yesterday found that residents of homes built with the faulty blocks are suffering a “major negative impact to their mental health”.
It also found that some Mica homeowners are medicating for the first time ever to cope with the stress of it all.
Representatives of the Mica Action Group plan to give their survey to government as well as a document spelling out what is needed to help those whose home are in some cases falling down due to defective blocks.
Lisa Hone, a spokesperson for the group, said: “It can only be hoped that it is treated with respect and gravity, and is acted upon with urgency.”
Meanwhile, speaking in Limerick yesterday Housing Minister Darragh O’brien hinted at a “resolution” to the Mica crisis.
When asked if he was open to 100% redress for homeowners, Minister O’brien replied: “I’ve taken nothing off the table.”
He added: “I’m committed to improving the scheme that the previous government brought in last February 12 months, so I know for homeowners the stress they’re under.”
Mr O’brien said the Cabinet will “assess” documents to be handed into government today, adding, “I want to be able to bring improvements to the scheme, and try to bring a resolution to this in the next few weeks.”
“I’ll have to go to Cabinet with some of the changes, if they require additional expenditure, which I expect it will do so.”
He acknowledged the Mica issue “is a terrible scourge for people, for families, that literally their homes are crumbling in front of them…we want to help”.
Ms Hone said 483 registered members of the Mica Action Group responded to the survey, and they admitted to “dealing with unrelenting anxiety about safety and finances, the distress of having homes demolished and worries about future homelessness”.
She added: “Prior to being aware that their house was affected, 96% of homeowners reported having good to excellent mental health.
“Following the recognition of defective blocks in their home, 84% state that it has had a negative/very negative impact on their mental health,
“A common theme running through comments from defective block homeowners was the constant nature of the anxiety seeping into all corners of their lives, with 50% feeling unsafe in their home.
“One respondent told the survey, ‘I can’t cope with this madness anymore, nightmares thinking something will fall off (the house) and hurt one of my children. I can’t afford it, this is a living hell’.”
I can’t cope with this madnesss …it’s a living hell MICA HOUSEHOLDER RESPONDS TO SURVEY