Concrete Blocks Expert Panel Report Published

Jun 09, 2017

Noel Kane, GARLAND Chairman, was part of a DECLG Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks which has now published its findings into cocrete block issues in Counties Donegal and Mayo.  A full copy fo the report is available here

The Expert Panel was established in the light of problems that emerged with concrete blocks used in certain dwellings in Counties Donegal and Mayo for the purpose of assisting the parties directly involved in their efforts to reach a satisfactory resolution to these matters. The Terms of Reference required the Expert Panel to identify the number of private dwellings affected, to establish the nature of the problem, to outline technical solutions and to submit a report to Minister which has now been completed.   

Noel was part of the expert panel that met on several occasions since their appointment and visited both Donegal and Mayo where they inspected a representative sample of the affected dwellings. In both counties, the Panel met with the elected members and with the executive staff of the respective local authorities. The Panel also facilitated meetings with TDs and Senators.  As part of the consultation process, the Panel met with several stakeholders and groups who were in a position to contribute to the final report. In particular, the Panel met with representatives from the Mica Action Group in Donegal and the Mayo Pyrite Group in Mayo.  During Noel's vist to Counties Donegal and Mayo, he had the opportunity to see at first hand the difficulties being experienced by the affected home owners in these counties.  

The report has put forward a number of technical solutions for the problems encountered in Donegal and Mayo.  The panel have recommend that existing building controls are fully enforced for all house building to give confidence to individual homeowners that their significant investment is not wasted.

comments powered by Disqus