Calls for homeowners within DCB scheme to receive upfront funding

Currently, homeowners who are affected by defective concrete blocks only receive funding after the home is demolished and the rebuild has begun, which ultimately prevents families who cannot afford to begin the process

Published 27th May 2026, 08:00 BST Thousands of properties were built using defective concrete blocks around the county | File Currently, homeowners who are affected by defective concrete blocks only receive funding after the home is demolished and the rebuild has begun, which ultimately prevents families who cannot afford to begin the process Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.

Donegal County Council will write to the Minister for Housing, calling on upfront funding to be provided to homeowners affected by defective blocks.

100% Redress Councillor Joy Beard brought forward the motion on defective concrete blocks at the May plenary meeting of Donegal County Council.

The motion called on the council to write to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to urgently introduce an upfront funding mechanism within the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.

Cllr Beard addressed that this was highlighted to Minister for Housing, James Browne TD, during his visit to Donegal, but clarified that her motion had already been submitted and should go forward “due to the seriousness of it.”

“As we know, many homeowners across Donegal face significant financial pressure before work can even begin,” she continued. “The reality is that families are expected to carry substantial upfront costs themselves and for many ordinary households, this is becoming a huge barrier to progressing the remediation or rebuilds.

“The first major payment from the scheme only comes after the home is demolished and rebuilt up to subfloor level. This creates serious difficulties, not only for homeowners but also for our small local builders and contractors. Many can not wait for the first payment to come through and as a result, many homeowners are often asked to fund significant stages themselves at the very beginning of the rebuild process.

“On top of that, they have lots more financial pressures they face as they start work. Many homeowners are telling me they do want to proceed, but cannot manage the level of financial burden required upfront.

“There was already a precedent set by this government for upfront funding assistance in defective housing situations. Under the interim remediation scheme for fire safety defects, upfront support was introduced, up to 50% of advanced funding. The department stated: ‘The purpose of the scheme is to ensure urgent fire safety defect works can commence as quickly as possible. The government also acknowledges that owner management companies do not have the financial resources available to undertake without the state.’

“I believe families who are affected by defective concrete blocks should have the same. The motion simply asks the government to recognise the practical realities facing families on the ground and put measures in place to provide upfront funding and allow homeowners to get out of their unsafe home.”

Request made for Donegal County Council to support research study into DCB scheme Redress scheme is ‘back to front’; homeowners must accept repairs before evidence The motion was seconded by fellow party member Councillor Ali Farren, who added: “We know it was brought to the minister's attention, but it is still needed that we write that letter. It has been said to us on a regular basis that we have an idea about the number of houses, but people can't proceed because they don't have the money up front.”

Mr Michael McGarvey, Director of Environment & Climate, Property Management and Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme, responded that he acknowledges the serious challenge and will write a letter to the minister.

Related topics: Joy Beard Homeowners Donegal County Council Donegal Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.