Frances Black (Independent)

Last week, I was very heartened to see Senator Manus Boyle raise the defective concrete block crisis, an issue that continues to devastate lives across Donegal and beyond. There are many urgent matters relating to this crisis that remain unaddressed. Just last week, for example, the four 100% Redress party councillors took the drastic step of walking out of a meeting of Donegal County Council. This was an act of sheer frustration at the persistent lack of engagement from the Government and, in particular, the Minister for housing. These councillors are phenomenal. They represent families caught up in this humanitarian crisis. Those victims who are attempting to engage with the defective concrete blocks scheme, because they must, in order to keep their families safe, are under unbearable financial pressure. It is awful to think of what they are going through, yet the legislation that would allow for retrospective payments has still not been passed.

These families are being forced to pay rent and mortgages while their homes sit unfinished. They are trying to negotiate short-term lets during a housing crisis and clinging in desperation to the Government’s promise that the legislation will be a priority. It is important to note that there was no opposition to the amendment. The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland advised the rebuilding rates in March 2024, yet more than a year later the people affected are still waiting. These homeowners have strict deadlines that must be met, yet they cannot meet them due to inaction on passing this legislation. To be honest, it is beyond cruel because the mental health impact on those families is off the Richter scale at this point. I cannot even imagine their frustration.

These are families who already lived through the trauma of losing their home. They were told they would not be disadvantaged for being early movers, yet they have again been left high and dry and are paying a price for doing what they were told. I support these families. We must continue to support them and not add to their suffering. The situation is not of their making. I plead with the Government to pass this legislation as soon as possible and without any delay because these families have waited long enough.