Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this legislation and commend Deputy Duffy on bringing it forward. It contains a number of important provisions. I refer to widening the parameters in this context where they are needed, particularly in terms of the area of responsibility and the statute and the existing limitations in this regard.

Turning to the existing schemes, I represent the constituency of Meath East, and we live with the pyrite scheme because many constituents have had pyrite discovered in their homes. It is welcome that the scheme exists. It is far from perfect, but it was a great support to those who needed it. People find themselves in a really desperate situation. Very often, these are families, and people of every age, who made a huge investment in their properties. They had their worlds turned upside-down when they found out they were living in a defective property. I commend those people on their activism and energy. I have experience of working with the residents of Riverwalk Court. They did not avail of a scheme, but they did have a successful outcome, not least related to their activism. Some of this came through the courts.

It is fair to say that existing and proposed schemes are too slow and not comprehensive enough. I can give an example of this by referring, in broad terms, to a case I am dealing with in my constituency. Someone had tests conducted and the results of those have indicated an abundant presence of problematic minerals, including muscovite mica, pyrite, pyrrhotite, etc., resulting in a high and critical risk of susceptibility to deterioration in future. The recommendation is for full demolition and rebuilding. This family has nowhere to go. Having been to the local authority and the Housing Agency, there is no existing scheme that will support these people.

It is a case in point. I will work with them to try to find some resolution there. Now I have brought the case to the Minister of State's attention, I would appreciate if he might look at it too. People need somewhere to go in those cases.

This proposed legislation addresses a number of the weaknesses of existing schemes. The thing that needs to come out of this debate is the need for a level of urgency, investment and support and that there would be a comprehensive wraparound support for people who find themselves in this position. Nobody wants to end up faced with this. As I said, people's lives are turned upside down. This is a massive personal investment and they need to be supported. I commend the Bill and look forward to a response from the Government on it.

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