Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendments. The situation is very unfair. I cannot understand how it costs €6,000 for the assessment. Families are being devastated and must try to house themselves when their homes are destroyed. It is obvious to anyone involved with a degree of knowledge of building that there are serious defects. The Government should set up a scheme whereby a group of assessors is set up and funded. People are being exploited if they are being charged €6,000. The work is technical enough, but it cannot be that technical. Surely to God, €1,000 would be a lot of money not to mind €6,000. Applicants are forced to come up with the money and then they are charged a property tax on a house that is rendered useless. It is dangerous for people to live in such houses. There are houses in Tipperary that are affected. The problem is bigger than people realise. Issues arise with public buildings and bridges because of the bad mixture that was used. I support the amendments. The Government should consider some kind of group scheme of assessors who would be independent and fair.

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