Fine Gael TD for Dublin North Alan Farrell has today (Wednesday) called on the Minister for Environment, Phil Hogan, to include those affected by pyrite to be exempt from the household charge.
“I have called on the Minister to recognise that homes affected by the pyrite epidemic over the last few years should be included under the exemption clause which waives the €100 household charge for those living in ghost estates.
“I fundamentally believe that estates affected by pyrite should not be considered as complete or finished. Therefore I believe it unfair for people living in these homes to pay the household charge when they do not benefit from owning a structurally sound property.
“Pyrite is a building material which has caused significant damage to homes. It has been used in the construction of an estimated 20,000 houses in north Dublin, Meath and Kildare and has left home owners facing massive bills for problems such as cracked walls and floors.
“These people, many of whom bought their houses during the peak of the property boom, have had to endure the nightmare scenario of their homes being destroyed in front of their eyes.
“Having worked on this issue since my election in February and for the preceding four years since the first discovery of pyrite in residential properties in July 07, I have recently welcomed the appointment of the pyrite panel who will report their suggestions and recommendations for affected homeowners in the new year. In the meantime, I believe that imposing the household charge on these homes will be inappropriate and I am hopeful that the Minister will grant an exemption.”
“As the owner of a house with pyritic backfill, I am acutely aware of the dramatic impact that this issue has on homeowners. I have been contacted by numerous home owners who are experiencing serious defects within their homes. The Pyrite issue has been particularly prominent in north Leinster and in my own constituency of Dublin North.