Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the chance to speak on this motion today because this has been the single biggest issue affecting Donegal over my time in politics. It has been traumatic for every single family who has been affected by defective concrete blocks. It has been my objective throughout my time in politics and in Cabinet in the previous Dáil to work to ensure we get a scheme that would help people rebuild their homes and rebuild their lives. We have seen significant progress in the past two years since the new scheme was introduced. In Donegal, as of today, there are 580 homes under construction in the county and 137 are now completed. No matter what road you go down in Donegal now, you will see a house under reconstruction.

Part of the frustration that has added to the challenges families have faced with this at all times have been the delays with moving it on. There were delays with the legislation in the first place, which took time and more time than it should have taken. It is important that the outstanding issues are all dealt with and resolved. Some of those are taking too much time as well. We need to see the 10% increase applied. I fought hard at Cabinet more than a year ago to make sure the decision to do it was made. That needs to be implemented in legislation right away. In terms of the capacity to build on a different footprint from where the original house was in certain circumstances, that needs to be implemented in that legislation too.

The social housing scheme has also been delayed for too long. That needs to get up and running. We need resolutions for Elm Park and the houses that are currently built on a flood plain. We need to see the review of the standards by the National Standards Authority completed. It is also taking too long and it is really important we have that and that it concludes and leads to certainty around the mortgageability of all properties.

On the downgraded homes, that is related to the National Standards Authority but also the appeals issue. That has also been too slow in getting up and running. On the payment timelines coming from Donegal County Council, where the majority of affected homes in the country are under construction, it is working to make sure those issues are resolved. I will continue to work in every way possible to resolve the outstanding issues, as I have to get it to where it is today.

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