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418 applications for Pyrite repair funds for damaged houses

The Pyrite Remediation Board said that some people are slow to say if they’ve taken action to seek redress for pyrite damage.

THERE WERE 418 applications to the Pyrite Resolution Board for funds to repair damage made by to people’s homes by the ‘fool’s gold’.

A report in 2012 identified 10,300 homes that were possibly contaminated by pyrite, and the Pyrite Resolution Board was set up earlier this year to begin taking applications for remedial work.

An initial funding allocation of €10 million was approved for the board.

Homeowners whose properties have been affected by ‘pyrite heave’ (where the sub-standard building material has caused structural damage) can apply for the damage to be repaired and the material replaced.

Pyrite has been reported to have led to walls cracking, floors bulging and doors sticking.

Here is the county breakdown for applications:

pyrite 1

The online application process was launched on 26 February 2014 and can be accessed on the Board’s website.

The number of completed applications submitted since the launch to 15 April 2014 was 418.

There were an additional 146 individuals who have begun but not yet completed their applications.

The audit process has been completed for over 50 per cent of applications received.

“Overall the Damage Condition Ratings recorded have been satisfactory in all cases audited thus far,” said the board. “A small number of applications with a Damage Condition Rating of 1 have been received. While these do not qualify under the Scheme some may fall to be considered under the “exceptional” heading at a later stage.”

Housing agencies

pyrite 2

A total of 84 applications spread over five different developments have been recently validated and referred to the Housing Agency for the Verification stage.

The Housing Agency will begin the assessment and damage verification process. After this, a recommendation will be made to the PRB about whether or not the dwelling should be included in the remediation scheme.

Redress

The board said that generally applications “declare little by way of actions taken, whether by applicants themselves or builders/developers, to seek redress from others who may have liability”.

It seems clear that applicants may be slow to declare such actions as they would worry that this might affect their eligibility for remediation by the PRB or that their application may be deferred as allowed for under the legislation. In many of these cases homeowners have been living with severe damage for a considerable period of time.

The board said that some solicitors and builders’ representatives have been in contact with PRB looking to progress actions or settlements and getting the necessary cooperation from homeowners.

“It also seems that settlements being negotiated in some cases might not meet the full costs of remediation, but that the builders/developers wish to find a mechanism that would contribute towards the Pyrite Remediation Scheme,” noted the board.

These parties are currently considering proposals which they would then bring to the PRB.

According to he board, it seems appropriate that the board should agree “that as much funds as possible be contributed from those liable for the pyrite damage, while not unduly delaying or frustrating homeowners in their need to have their damaged dwellings remediated”.

The board said it has been “tacitly acknowledged” that homeowners want to be assured that they would not be disadvantaged by cooperating with builder/developers in their actions, “subject to receiving satisfactory proposals that can be legally recommended”.

Read: Explainer: The scheme that will fix pyrite victim’s crumbling homes>

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12 Comments
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    Mute C Mc Gyver
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    Mar 28th 2016, 12:01 AM

    No problem with Monday its Tuesday I’m fearing!

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    Mute Gerry Fallon
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    Mar 28th 2016, 6:42 AM

    Yeah, its true, we really should just stop and think about where we’re at.We take for granted our mental state of health . Unfortunately, we are always planning ahead for and not chillin out and enjoying the moment. Financial stress does this to us all.Its not easy to be in the here and now but we must try, as we owe it to ourselves.So cmon, its a new day, altogether now, Breathe in, Breathe out, breathe in, Breathe out, Ah im exhausted already, im goin back asleep!

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    Mute Winston Smith
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    Mar 28th 2016, 11:07 AM

    I hope I win the lotto, I hope I win the lotto, I hope I win the lotto….

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    Mute .
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    Mar 28th 2016, 12:12 AM

    Perhaps at Easter there is a Christian answer to stress rather than having to go to Eastern philosophies

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    Mute Jane
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    Mar 28th 2016, 1:34 AM

    What would that be then?

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    Mute Pat Maher
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    Mar 28th 2016, 7:34 AM

    What’s wrong with trying things from other cultures and faiths? It broadens the mind, no-one has all the answers. Seems quite un-Christian to close your mind to the thoughts and philosophies of others simply because the aren’t attached directly to your faith, Jesus wouldn’t have gained too many followers if he’d taken that approach, he loved everyone.

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    Mute na buachailí
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    Mar 28th 2016, 9:06 AM

    Some might say the pressures placed on younger people to live that perfect Christian life is part of the problem causing pressures and stress on people?

    I am Christian and believe in living s good life and loving others etc etc but an wholly against the ‘church’ preaching, aged men who never have had a relationship, instructing us on how to manage ours etc, crazy stuff!

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    Mute .
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    Mar 28th 2016, 10:50 AM

    Well Budda preached the truth is within you path to enlightment Jesus preached that he was the truth and could forgive sin

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    Mute Winston Smith
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    Mar 28th 2016, 11:06 AM

    Keep praying.

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    Mute .
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    Mar 28th 2016, 11:11 AM

    Well believing in teaching of Buddha and Jesus at same time is contradictory Bit like supporting FG and People before Profit at the same time They believe in different things

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    Mute TomTraubert
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    Mar 28th 2016, 6:50 PM

    Another top tip, not mentioned in the article, is to try and avoid thejournal.ie entirely.

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    Mute Keith Byrne
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    Mar 28th 2016, 7:04 AM

    By sheer coincidence here’s my blog on my experience of mindfulness featuring a reference to 1916 for the week that’s in it:

    https://twitter.com/keifib/status/713403824560414720

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    Mute Gash
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    Mar 28th 2016, 1:34 AM

    I’m pissed

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    Mute Timber Planks
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    Mar 28th 2016, 5:33 PM

    Me too.

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    Mute Pat Maher
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    Mar 29th 2016, 4:34 PM

    And you don’t think that Fine Gael might have some policies you agree with and so might People before Profit. They are not mutually exclusive. You as an individual can decide what you agree with, so can everyone else.

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