Keogh reaffirms commitment to Mayo families as defective blocks review secured
NEWLY elected Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Deputy Keira Keogh, has reaffirmed her commitment to addressing the ongoing defective blocks crisis, which has devastated communities across the county, particularly in Erris, Westport and Ballina.
Speaking about the impact, Deputy Keogh stated: “The scale of this issue cannot be underestimated. Families are enduring unimaginable financial, physical, emotional and mental pressures as they face the challenges of crumbling homes - through no fault of their own.”
She noted that while improvements have been made to the remediation scheme in recent years, there are still significant gaps and flexibility needed.
She highlighted the concerns raised by affected homeowners during her campaign, including at meetings such as those held in Páirc na Coille in Westport and the Grand National Hotel in Ballina.
“Fine Gael committed to a full review of the scheme during the election campaign and once elected, I spoke about the importance of this challenge to An Taoiseach Simon Harris directly, and within the parliamentary party meeting,” said Deputy Keogh. “I am pleased to see this review now listed in the Programme for Government, and I will continue to push for real, tangible results for those affected.”
Deputy Keogh outlined several critical issues raised by constituents during her engagements:
One constituent asked if their grant could transfer to their children in the event of their passing due to ongoing illness. “These are the kinds of deeply personal concerns that weigh heavily on families affected by this crisis.”
Other constituents raised questions about downsizing, with retirees asking if they could sell their property with the grant intact to avoid rebuilding a house of the same size.
Concerns about the scheme’s coverage were also highlighted, with questions around whether defective foundations, attic conversions and other unique circumstances would be included.
Some homeowners are affected by legislative delays, being told they can only access increased grant rates once amendments are passed. “People need certainty about when these changes will happen,” Deputy Keogh said.
Temporary housing during demolitions and rebuilds, as well as the exclusion of homes with less severe pyrite damage, also emerged as critical issues.
“These are not just policy points - they are real-life struggles,” Deputy Keogh emphasised. “Until you step into one of these homes and witness the crumbling walls, it’s hard to fully understand the heartbreak these families endure.”
Deputy Keogh pointed to the commitments outlined in the Programme for Government as essential steps forward. These include:
• Rolling out retrospective payment pathfinders.
• Legislating and implementing a comprehensive remediation scheme, including retrospective payments for defective apartments.
• Undertaking a planned review of the current scheme to address its shortcomings.
• Expanding the scheme to additional counties affected by defective blocks.
• Extending eligibility for the Pyrite Remediation Scheme to homes with a damage category rating of 1, with a clear path for progression.
• Establishing a Building Standards Regulatory Authority to strengthen oversight of construction and design standards.
“I am determined to ensure these commitments translate into meaningful action for my constituents,” she said. “This is about restoring faith, rebuilding lives, and delivering justice to the families affected by this crisis. The people of Mayo deserve nothing less.”