Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Dessie Ellis TD has blasted the Environment Minister Phil Hogan for producing what he called a "wholly insufficient" solution to the pyrite contamination problem.

Deputy Ellis was commenting as it was announced that €10m will be made available for reparations to pyrite effected homes and that no levy on the quarry or construction industry will be put in place.

Deputy Ellis said: "There are at least 1000 homes which are in need of immediate attention. We have been told that the average cost of these repair works will be €40,000 per home.

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"This means that approximately only 250 homes will be covered by this fund while many families have been waiting far too long already for work to commence as their homes crumble around them.

"Those responsible in the quarry and construction industry for the use of these contaminated materials leading to this scandal should share some of the burden. The state failed in its role to properly regulate against such materials being used but those who did not implement proper checks at an industry level should pay for that irresponsibility.

"The public should not have to pay in full for reparation work.

"I have been calling on the minister to introduce the levy system for some time. I was told as late as mid-September that this would happen before Christmas.

"This sudden withdrawal of that plan is disappointing and especially so when it has been replaced with a fund which will not meet the needs of the many thousands of people affected."

(CD/JP)