A resolution for families affected by Pyrite– Farrell
Funding for the Pyrite Resolution Board has been approved
Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan T.D, that the Government has approved Exchequer funding for a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented under the auspices of the Pyrite Resolution Board (PRB).
“I am pleased that the general scheme of funding for the Pyrite Resolution Board has been approved. As an affected homeowner, I am delighted that homeowners who have no recourse regarding the remediation of their home may now apply to the Board for assistance.
“The Government has approved an initial €10 million funding to get the scheme up and running. Additional funding will be allocated over the next two years from the Capital Stimulus Programme in early 2014. The PRB estimates that there are approximately 1,000 dwellings affected by pyritic heave that require immediate remediation.
“The structures originally proposed for the delivery of the scheme, involving the establishment of a not-for-profit company are no longer required as a result of the new funding arrangements. The PRB, with support from the Housing Agency, will now implement the programme in line with the scheme outlined on the Board’s website (see http://www.pyriteboard.ie).
“All obstacles have now been removed and the proposed legislation can now be drafted as a matter of priority so that the PRB can begin its work in earnest. The PRB will now advance work on the online application and processing system, and also to finalise work on developing other complementary systems, with appropriate checks and balances, to ensure that effective and efficient programmes of remediation are delivered to affected homeowners.
“Working towards a resolution for families affected by pyrite has been one of my top priorities from my time on Fingal Council Chamber to my election to Dáil Éireann. I have worked tirelessly with Minister Hogan, the Pyrite Panel and my deceased colleague, Minister Shane McEntee to ensure that this matter would be dealt with as promptly as possible so as to alleviate the enormous pressure on many families who bought their dream homes during the boom, only to find that it was tainted by the present of pyrite.
“First time buyers burdened with celtic tiger mortgages, young families in crumbling houses who once saw no way out, now have the chance they have been waiting for. I would urge anyone who is currently affected by pyrite to get in touch with the PRB and receive the help they have been waiting for and most certainly deserve.”
ENDS