Delays in issuing payments to pyrite homeowners is ‘an absolute scandal’

An Erris-based councillor has called it “an absolute and utter scandal" that there are delays in issuing payments to people who have successfully applied for the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.

Cllr Gerry Coyle made his comments at last week's meeting of Mayo County Council when he also highlighted other concerns about the scheme, which was set up to assist owners of homes with pyrite in the blocks. In particular, he noted that planning permission now has to be obtained prior to demolishing a house with pyrite.

“You couldn’t make this up," he said, "and if a little shed was there at the back for 20 years, you have to get retention for that as well. Who in the name of God sat down at a laptop and came up with these things? When the 90% grant came out, I welcomed it, because 90% of something is better than 100% per cent of nothing, and at least there was a scheme there.

“I came in here a few years ago highlighting that no VAT should be paid on the rebuilding of the pyrite houses where people were already scammed with inferior quality stuff, and I was told to send my complaint to Europe. It’s like, if you’re defrauded online now, they will probably come looking for tax. People were defrauded on material that wasn’t fit for purpose and then they have to pay VAT on it again.” 

Director of Services Catherine McConnell said that the council was just waiting for the payment scheme for social housing affected by pyrite to be confirmed, adding: “And an enhanced scheme has been passed for that.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.