Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has said it is hugely positive that approximately 429 dwellings, out of the 579 applications for inclusion in the pyrite remediation scheme, in the Fingal local authority area have progressed past the Assessment and Verification stage of the remediation process. A further 41 applications from Fingal are currently at this stage with another 96 at the Approval and Validation stage.
“Recent figures show that 579 households in Fingal have applied to the Pyrite Resolution Board for remediation works on their pyrite-affected homes. In fact, of the 239 applications at the Remedial Works Plan stage, 208 are in the Fingal area, while of the 106 homes at the Dwelling Remediation/Certification stage, 66 are in Fingal.
“As part of Budget 2016, the funding allocated for pyrite remediation has been increased to €19 million. This is an increase on the €10 million which was provided to the pyrite remediation scheme in 2015. The estimated cost to remediate homes suffering from pyritic damage is €50,000 to €60,000. It has never been the case that the scheme was underfunded.
“I am pleased that the Pyrite Remediation Board remains committed to remediating more than 600 affected dwellings over the 2015 – 2016 period.
“Currently, 23 projects have been approved for inclusion under the pyrite remediation scheme which will deliver the remediation of over 630 homes. In addition to this, a further four projects, representing 67 homes, are due to go to tender before December this year. In fact, it is projected that, by the end of this year, 230 dwellings will have either been remediated or be under remediation and this is expected to rise to roughly 500 dwellings by mid-June 2016.
“Overall, approximately 887 applications have been received by the Pyrite Remediation Board with roughly 65% of this applications being in the Fingal local authority area. I am pleased that the work to assist homeowners living in pyrite affected dwellings is advancing significantly. However, I believe that more must be done to support those whose homes have a category ‘1’ rating and therefore are not currently provided with sufficient supports. I will continue to actively engage with Minister Paudie Coffey in relation to this.”