Michael Ring TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, has welcomed the announcement by Government that its new Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme will open shortly.
The scheme will financially enable people whose homes have been affected by pyrite, to receive supports for remediation works. An estimated 350 homes in Mayo have been affected by pyrite.
Where remedial works are deemed necessary, the homeowner may receive a grant of up to 90 percent of the costs, with the approved costs ranging from a maximum of €275,000 down to €55,000.
There will be five options available to households, including the total demolition and rebuild of the house, and the demolition and rebuild of the outer or inner walls. Mayo County Council will administer this Government funded grant scheme.
Minister Ring said: "The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme is about ensuring people feel secure and safe in the place where they have set down roots, where they are building a life, rearing a family and planning for their futures.
"I want to pay tribute to the many families who have been living through this nightmare every day for many years. It has been a long road for the families living with this situation and we hope now that this scheme gives them some peace of mind."
When applying for the grant, the applicant must provide an engineer’s report, and payment of the grant will be made after the works are completed and certified. The applicant must also give an undertaking to live in the house once completed.
The grant will cover the cost of the engineer’s report, preparation of a remedial works plan by an engineer, costs associated with a contractor carrying out the remedial works and oversight of the remedial works.
