One-third of Donegal remediation applications downgraded by Housing Agency 

A third of defective concrete block remediation applications from Donegal determined by the Housing Agency have been downgraded from the recommendation made by the homeowner’s engineer.

Figures represented to the October meeting of Donegal County Council’s enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme committee show that of the 353 determinations made by the Housing Authority on applications made to Donegal County Council up to the end of September, 215 were the same as the applicant’s engineer while 120 have seen the engineer's remediation recommendation downgraded.

Fifteen recommendations have been upgraded and three applications have been refused remediation. 

There are five remedial options available to homeowners under the grant scheme. 

Of the applications downgraded, 118 have been downgraded from an engineer’s recommendation of full demolition and rebuild.

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Fifty-eight of those have been downgraded from a recommendation of demolition and rebuild (option 1)  to demolish and rebuild external walls (both outer and inner leafs) down to foundation on a phased basis and re-render (option 2). 

Thirty-nine recommendations have been made for downgrading from option 1 to demolish and rebuild external walls (both outer and internal leafs) down to top of rising wall on a phased basis and re-render  (option 3).

Nine applications have been downgraded from full demotion to demolish and rebuild external walls (outer leaf only) down to top of rising wall on a phased basis and re-render (option 4).

Twelve applications have been downgraded to a combination of options from option 1.

County councillors repeated calls for the Housing Agency to stop downgrading applications for full demolition over fears that the decisions are not taking into account the latest scientific findings.

100% Redress Party councillor Tomas Devine told the meeting it was “shocking” that another nine applicants have had their application downgraded since the last update was issued in September.

The Housing Agency is “not listening to the science”, he said, adding that  “the science is out there now and they are still not sticking to option 1”.

Cllr Ali Farren of the 100% Redress Party said it is “very, very disappointing” that sulphate attack is not being taken into consideration.

His party colleague, Cllr Joy Beard, said she was very disappointed that so many applications had been downgraded when the science showed it was “undeniable that they should be demolished”.

“It is shocking that people are being given those options, to be honest.”

She said Engineers Ireland believes that when a disagreement arises between the recommendation of a homeowner’s engineer and the Housing Agency’s engineers, the recommendation of the homeowner’s engineer should prevail.

“That is not happening,” she added.