Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. I welcome the Minister of State here today and thank him for coming to discuss such an important issue. The reason I tabled a Commencement matter seeking Limerick to be included in the pyrite remediation scheme is because I wrote to the board that deals with pyrite, seeking Limerick to be included in the scheme, but, unfortunately, I was told that the scheme only applies to Leinster and the greater Leinster area, including Meath, Louth and Dublin. I know a lady who lives in a house with pyrite, and there are a number of similar houses alongside her. Three years ago she had a problem with her house. She approached her insurance company which sent an assessor to her house but that was the end of the matter. She then got an independent assessor to check her house who diagnosed pyrite and other problems. She has been told by the pyrite board that she cannot be considered for the scheme as her house is not located in the greater Leinster area or in Dublin. Unfortunately, as she does not live in the Leinster area or greater Dublin area, she does not qualify for the tax relief that applies to the local property tax, LPT, either.

The pyrite remediation scheme needs to be broadened as other areas of the country have pyrite. I would like to acknowledge the fact that my colleague, Senator Mulherin, has raised the pyrite issue as it occurs in Mayo and Donegal. The problem of pyrite occurs in other places around the country and is not just confined to Dublin and the greater Dublin region. I am interested in hearing what the Minister of State has to say on the matter.