The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers’ Association has backed the campaign for a Mica redress scheme that delivers the full cost of repair to households affected.
In a statement, spokesperson, Henry O’Donnell, has outlined the plight of Mica affected householders in Donegal and Mayo.
“A large number of houses and farm buildings are now crumbling, leaving their owners facing the prospect of a huge repair bill due to the inadequacies of the current redress scheme.”
“There is a need for the state to acknowledge its responsibilities in this. They failed to apply adequate standards in relation to the blocks and building material that were sold in the marketplace with devastating consequences for the householders impacted.”
In discussing the current redress scheme the government introduced which is administered by the local authorities, O’Donnell stressed that the scheme is “totally inadequate and falls well short of what is needed in terms of financial redress”.
The farm group has called on the state to take full responsibility and cover the full cost of the re-builds for the families impacted.
In concluding, he pointed to the INHFA motto of fairness, not favouritism.
“This also holds true for families affected by Mica who must be supported by the state through a 100% funded repair scheme on the same basis that the pyrite scheme was introduced.”
‘Losing their forever home’
Meanwhile, Inishowen Agricultural Show has called on the government to “stand up and address this rightfully”.
In a statement on social media, a spokesperson said: “Inishowen Agricultural Show supporting the #micaredress – 100% is needed most certainly.”
“An awful shame what is happening in our beautiful county and beyond. Our government needs to stand up and address this rightfully.”
“The families affected will NOT and should not accept any less. 100% REDRESS – power in people, get behind the fight, folks.”
“Your family & friends need all your support. It is now or never. Our beautiful homes are crumbling down around us. Everything the people have worked for – GONE – Causing daily heartache, mental health, separations.”
“Kids worrying about things that should never ever need to enter their minds, worrying about where they will be sleeping next— losing their forever home. Their place of ‘safety’. Think on our further generations here,” the spokesperson concluded.
