'Longer time-frame' for defective blocks scheme for social housing

Hopes have been dashed that the Government’s defective blocks scheme for social housing will be announced any time soon. 

Belmullet-based Cllr Gerry Coyle raised the matter at the July meeting of Mayo County Council, having done so several times already, to be told by Director of Services Catherine McConnell: “[Councils] in Mayo and in Donegal and Clare have been told by the Department that the scheme will be finalised soon, but we want to make sure we get the right scheme. We are working closely with the Department on this, it is extremely frustrating, and unfortunately, I can’t give you any date and don’t anticipate it will be ready in the next couple of months, it will be a longer time-frame.” 

However, she assured Cllr Coyle that once finalised, the scheme will “fully cover the cost to Mayo County Council of reinstating those houses to current standards".

There are a number of social houses in Mayo impacted by pyrite.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.