Fine Gael Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has given strong indications that Donegal and Mayo mica homeowners will not receive 100% redress as they have requested.
The victims – homeowners whose houses are falling apart after being constructed with defective mica blocks – have staged repeated demonstrations outside of government buildings calling for 100% redress for rebuilding or repairing the dwellings affected.
Thought the government have been willing to offer some compensation, politicians have been reluctant to commit to 100%.
“We do have to bear in mind the impact on the general taxpayer as well,” Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said outside Dublin Castle.
“Behind this issue, there’s also the issue of defective apartments, many of them in my constituency.
“Ultimately it’s not the Government that pays for this it’s the taxpayer – the average working person who pays for this, even though they weren’t responsible in any way for the problems that happen.”
Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath reiterated the Tánaiste’s appeal to the taxpayers.
“We’re all working together here in good faith to find a resolution to what is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult issue for the individuals and families who are impacted by mica,” said McGrath.
“For too many people the impact of mica has been life-changing. We’re all just trying to find the solution and that’s what we will do, while at the same time, of course, recognising that we have an obligation to taxpayers generally as well.”