’Social homes scheme must not repeat private DCB scheme mistakes’ - Beard - Donegal Daily

Ahead of this evening’s Dail debate on the Defective Concrete Blocks Social Homes Scheme, Councillor Joy Beard has warned that Government must learn from the pr...

Ahead of this evening's Dail debate on the Defective Concrete Blocks Social Homes Scheme, Councillor Joy Beard has warned that Government must learn from the problems already identified in the private homeowner scheme.

The 100% Redress Party Councillor said the government must 'provide a realistic pathway to rebuilding affected homes.'

“The private DCB scheme is currently undergoing its statutory review, and we already know there are serious issues around remediation options, foundations, delays, upfront costs, and the real cost of rebuilding.

“Both the private and social schemes ultimately have to answer the same question: do they provide a realistic, fully funded way of rebuilding of homes permanently?”

The draft social scheme proposes to use the grant methodology and rates from the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.

"It also specifically excludes remedial works to foundations and associated groundworks from grant assistance.

Cllr Beard said: “This must be addressed. A rebuild must include appropriate testing of foundations and, where defective material is identified, their removal and replacement.

“We know considerably more today about internal sulphate attack and defective concrete. We cannot leave defective materials behind and need a permanent solution.

Cllr Beard also warned that the announcement of a scheme will not mean work can begin immediately.

“I am being contacted by social housing tenants asking when they will be moved out of their home for works to commence.

"I understand completely why they want answers, particularly those living in homes that are badly deteriorating.

“Even once the scheme is formally in place, there will still have to be assessments, testing, engineering work, planning where required, procurement and tendering, along with all the necessary paperwork before substantial works can commence.

"I sincerely hope I am wrong and that mechanisms can be put in place to expedite the most urgent cases.”

"The draft itself provides for a staged process involving a Building Condition Assessment, I.S. 465 engineering assessment, determination of the remediation option and preparation of a certified Remedial Works Plan before works progress.

Cllr Beard said this makes the question of temporary accommodation even more urgent.

“Sadly, we already have two crises happening at the same time, the housing crisis and the defective concrete blocks crisis.

“Donegal County Council will have to rehouse tenants while affected homes are demolished, yet Donegal County Council simply does not have hundreds of empty homes available.

“I strongly hope that any relocation will be temporary and that tenants will be able to return to their homes, their neighbours and the communities where their lives are based.

“There needs to be a proper conversation around a right to return, keeping communities together and how temporary accommodation will work.

“But without the scheme fully operational, much of that remains up in the air.”

Cllr Beard confirmed that she has written to Housing Minister James Browne asking that Donegal be considered for modular homes currently being used for State accommodation which may become available when their current use comes to an end in March 2027.

She has also requested the Chief Executive of Donegal County Council John McLaughlin to raise this with the Minister for Housing.

“I have asked the Minister for Housing James Browne that Donegal be considered given the extraordinary scale of the humanitarian crisis here.

“If existing modular units are to be redeployed, Donegal should be considered first and foremost. If they cannot, Government should examine providing a dedicated rapid-build modular programme here.

“We need additional temporary accommodation, not a situation where DCB families are competing with people already desperately waiting for social housing.”

Cllr Beard said Donegal is already facing pressure on the construction workforce while trying to deliver new private and social housing.

“Now we are potentially adding the remediation or rebuilding of up to 2,000 social homes.

“We need a workforce strategy, procurement plan and realistic multi-annual programme. A scheme is only meaningful if there are enough people and resources available to deliver it.”

Cllr Beard concluded: “There are many issues that still need to be resolved, and we need honest conversations with tenants about how long this process may take.

“But one thing I know for certain is that we need to get people out of the most dangerous homes before a tragedy happens.

“Government must use the statutory review of the private scheme and today’s debate on the social housing scheme to make sure both provide a realistic, properly funded route to rebuild affected homes.

"This must be about doing the job once both for the private and social housing schemes and doing it properly.

"We must give tenants of Donegal County Council the certainty that they can return to safe homes in the communities where their lives are.”