A Shannon apartment complex where serious fire safety defects were identified will be included in the Government scheme to remediate apartments with fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects, built between 1991 and 2013.
That’s according to Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey who said that the Bru na Sionna complex in Tullyvarraga meets the criteria for inclusion in the scheme and he will be looking for the necessary legislation to be approved by the Oireachtas so that work can get under way next year.
“The Taoiseach and Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien have confirmed that retrospective funding will be made available for works that have already been completed. They have also indicated that on-going work will be covered under the terms of the scheme.
“An inspection of the Bru na Sionna complex in 2017 identified serious defects and the owners of the 240 apartments faced the prospect of having to pay an estimated €4million for repairs and upgrades.
“This was both unfair and upsetting for homeowners who purchased their properties in good faith and I am delighted that this nightmare scenario will finally be remedied,” Deputy Carey added.
“It is envisaged that owners’ management companies will be funded to carry out the works, which will include common areas and shared spaces.
“The scheme, which is expected to be administered by the Housing Agency, will cover the full cost of remediation work and it has been calculated overall bill could reach €2.5 billion, with an average cost of approximately €25,000 for each apartment.
“Last July, it was estimated that between 50 and 80 per cent of apartments and duplexes constructed between 1991 and 2013 may be affected by one or more fire safety, structural safety or water ingress defects.
“A Government appointed working group to examine defects in housing said that this equated to between 62,500 and 100,000 units in need of remediation work,” Deputy Carey concluded.
