Fine Gael is urging the Minister for the Environment to ensure that houses affected by pyrite will be exempt from the household charge.

Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, said: “Thousands of people living in these homes have had to deal with raised floor, swollen and cracked walls and jammed doors and windows.

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“It would be of significant relief to these homeowners if they did not have to pay the €100 household charge. It would be completely unjust to impose the charge on people who already feel their homes are sub-standard, and in some cases, unliveable. I hope the Minister will take this into consideration when making up his mind on this matter.”

A number of exemptions have already been announced including social, voluntary and co-operative housing, owners of houses entitled to mortgage interest supplement and owners of houses in certain unfinished housing estates.

(CD)