New statutory body to be set up to ensure mica crisis not repeated

A new building standards regulator will be given powers to inspect buildings, products and companies as part of a fresh plan to address problems caused by defective blocks.

The Government is finalising a package to address the mica crisis which will see an emphasis on ensuring the same situation cannot develop again, sources said.

This would involve placing a building standards regulator and body on a statutory footing with a wide remit of responsibilities, a source said.

A review will also be carried out into the coverage provided by insurance companies amid frustration that existing policies do not provide cover for issues such as pyrite and mica.

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At a meeting of Ministers on Tuesday night, which was described as productive, much of the discussion around the new mica scheme involved details around who will administer the enhanced scheme.

The Government wants the Housing Agency to administer the scheme and is prepared to give it significant extra resources to do so.

It is understood agreement has also been reached to pay ancillary costs such as rent costs and storage of furniture to affected homeowners. The exact figures have not yet been revealed.

Talks are continuing to agree a cap on costs for homeowners but it is likely to be in the region of €400,000.

It comes as the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien, indicated in the Dáil that the enhanced scheme may be extended to additional counties such as Clare.

“A lot of work is going on with regard to the defective block mica scheme that I hope to bring to a conclusion very shortly. This will impact on other counties in a positive way.

He said he visited Clare with colleagues over the summer and met homeowners and visited their homes.

“We received a submission from the local authority in July requesting an extension of the defective block grant scheme to Co Clare.”

Clarifications

Mr O’Brien said he has asked his officials to deal with outstanding clarifications and outstanding matters.

“Any extension of a scheme to Clare or other local authority would be considered as part of the wider deliberations under way at present with regard to the scheme. I intend to bring a memo to the Government very shortly on these changes.

“I expect, all data being equal, that it will be extended to Clare.”

Mica is a mineral that can absorb water, leading to cracks and crumbling in bricks containing it. The likely cost of rebuilding or repairing affected homes is growing rapidly as further problems emerge in Clare, Limerick and Sligo after first surfacing in Donegal and Mayo.

A new scheme is set to go to Cabinet the week after next.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Thursday promised a “comprehensive solution”.

“People will see once the Government signs off and makes a decision on this, it will be a very comprehensive solution for people, and will enable them to get their houses rebuilt without the sort of pressures that they are currently experiencing under the existing scheme.”

Former government chief whip and Fine Gael minister Joe McHugh has said he would “consider all options” politically if the final scheme does not meet the wishes of homeowners.