Ireland
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Fine Gael Meath West TD, Ray Butler, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the decision by the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, to grant a property tax waiver to householders living in homes affected by pyrite.
Deputy Butler also welcomed the progress on establishing a Pyrite Resolution Board, as announced by the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD.
"I am very pleased that the Government has wisely decided to grant a waiver on the property tax to people who own pyrite homes. People whose homes have been affected by pyrite are going through a very difficult time. Not only are they living with serious structural damage; in many cases their homes are virtually worthless.
"Many houses in Meath, including in Summerhill and Enfield, are affected by pyrite. Property owners have been going through a long struggle for justice. It would have been a harsh blow if they were forced to pay the property tax, so it will come as some relief that waivers are to be granted.
"Progress is also being made on moving forward a process of resolution for pyrite homeowners. Minister Hogan has established the Pyrite Resolution Board, which will oversee the implementation of a remediation scheme for private properties affected by pyrite. Crucially, homeowners will not accrue any costs for remediation.
"The relevant banks have agreed to provide up-front funding of up to €50 million to help cover the cost of carrying out work on the affected homes. The establishment of the Resolution Board follows on from the publication of the report of the Pyrite Panel, which set out a way forward for stakeholders. Everyone involved now has a responsibility to deliver a comprehensive solution for homeowners affected by pyrite.
"It is particularly welcome that key stakeholders, including the Construction Industry Federation, the Irish Concrete Federation, HomeBond and the Irish Banking Federation, have conceded that homeowners should not have to pay for the necessary remediation works. Some work still needs to be done on the exact funding model to be used, but progress is certainly being made."
(CD/IT)
