Written answers
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Housing Services
9:00 pm
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the relationship between him and HomeBond; if he is satisfied that HomeBond is adequately addressing the issue of structural deficiencies in the housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4431/12]
Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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HomeBond is a private limited company providing a structural guarantee scheme to purchasers of new homes and, since November 2008, the HomeBond Insurance Scheme is underwritten by Allianz Insurance. As a private company my Department has no role or function in its operations. I was disappointed when HomeBond announced its withdrawal of cover to homeowners whose homes are affected by pyrite and I made HomeBond aware of my views at my meeting with company representatives last autumn.
Louise Kiernan
Posted on 27 Jan 2012 2:34 pm (This comment has been reported to moderators)
Dear Phil
I understand that your Dept has no role or function in private company funtions.
But are Homebond not obliged to provide stuctural cover which they were happy to receive payment for.
As a purchaser, one is not allowed on site to check on the progress of the house as its being built due to health & safety regulations.
There are building regulations, solicitors, engineers, council planning depts insurers (the list goes on at a huge cost to the purchaser) to ensure that the property being built is up to standards and therefore should be fit to live in at the very least.
So I feel it is not good enough to say that Homebond or the quarries or the builders or the solicitors involved in the sale and purchase of homes or the planners can just decide they are not responsible or no longer cover homes affected by pyrite.
The one thing I do know is that it is not my fault that I have bought a house that was built with a product which was not fit for purpose.
Kind regards
Louise Kiernan