Monday, 30 January 2012 13:13

Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) has received confirmation that the household charge will be reviewed for pyrite affected homeowners. This comes as a result of the findings of the report issued by the pyrite panel, after raising the proposal during the topical issue debate in the Dail. Farrell said: “Minister Fergus O’Dowd, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Environment Phil Hogan TD, outlined that he will be giving serious consideration to this proposal upon receipt of the report from the established Pyrite Panel. Speaking in the Dáil, Farrell outlined reasons why pyrite affected homes should be recognised as incomplete, “Pyrite presents a significant health and safety risk to home owners because of the pyrite swell in the floor slab which, for example, can cause problems opening and closing doors, and in itself requires considerable remedial work. I fundamentally believe that it is inappropriate to place the household charge on these properties, while there is an exemption for ‘unfinished estates’. I would urge homeowners who are in unfinished estates to clarify their position as some of these estates are in North County Dublin.