By Catherine McGinty
“This new scheme is much worse for homeowners than the previous 90 – 10 scheme and I believe homeowners will realise that in time.”
That was the view of Chartered Engineer, Dr Ambrose McCloskey, who has 50 Donegal clients at various stages of the current Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.
Mica-affected homeowner, Martin Doherty, also a chartered engineer, described the proposed sliding scale as “a nonsense in respect of individual house construction”.
Both engineers spoke to Donegal Live following last week's announcement of Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien's revised redress scheme.
Dr McCloskey said it appeared, the working group process, although well intentioned, suggested and seemingly agreed numerous changes, to the detriment of homeowners.
He added: “One of the main issues is the introduction of the ‘damage threshold’', which has yet to be defined. I would contend, if a block is tested for strength and is expected to be in the region of 10.0N/mm2 and it tests at, say, circa 5.0N/mm2, it is ‘damaged’, regardless if this damage is visible or not.
“This ’damage’ may not be sufficiently visible, and as such will prevent the homeowners accessing this scheme.
That was the view of Chartered Engineer, Dr Ambrose McCloskey, who has 50 Donegal clients at various stages of the current Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.
Mica-affected homeowner, Martin Doherty, also a chartered engineer, described the proposed sliding scale as “a nonsense in respect of individual house construction”.
Both engineers spoke to Donegal Live following last week's announcement of Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien's revised redress scheme.
Dr McCloskey said it appeared, the working group process, although well intentioned, suggested and seemingly agreed numerous changes, to the detriment of homeowners.
He added: “One of the main issues is the introduction of the ‘damage threshold’', which has yet to be defined. I would contend, if a block is tested for strength and is expected to be in the region of 10.0N/mm2 and it tests at, say, circa 5.0N/mm2, it is ‘damaged’, regardless if this damage is visible or not.
“This ’damage’ may not be sufficiently visible, and as such will prevent the homeowners accessing this scheme.
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