Wednesday 15 June 2022

Engineers Ireland has welcomed the extension of the Mica Redress Scheme to include Clare and Limerick, with an estimated increase of €500m.

It is estimated that Mica affects more than 7,000 homes, many in Donegal and Mayo. Engineers Ireland maintains the IS 465 register of engineers qualified to undertake assessments of deleterious materials, such as pyrite and mica, in concrete blocks.

In December 2020, Engineers Ireland called for IS 465 and the Redress Scheme to be extended beyond Donegal and Mayo into Clare, Limerick and Tipperary for these affected citizens' health, safety and equity.

In December 2020, Engineers Ireland surveyed registered engineers on the IS 465 register to better understand the current operation of the register. Of the 36 registrants, there were 20 responses.

Engineers reported the presence of these deleterious materials in concrete blocks in other counties, especially in the midwest (more than 80 damaged buildings in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary).

In total, there were 210 damaged buildings with recommendations to resolve the mica content, and the most common suggestion was to demolish the entire dwelling to foundation level and rebuild.

The cabinet has agreed to extend the scheme to counties Clare and Limerick. Under the revised proposal, it is expected that an estimated 600 homes in Clare and 700 in Limerick will eligible for the scheme.