Construction News
15/07/2022
Concerns Over Structural Defects On Irish Apartments
Up to 80% of apartments built between 1991 and 2013 may be affected by construction defects, a Labour representative revealed.
This statement comes as Labour leader Ivana Bacik questioned the Tánaiste in the Dáil yesterday, 14 July.
After meeting with a number of those living in such apartments, found mainly in Dublin, Deputy Bacik has said they are now living in fear – fear for fire safety in their homes and fear because of the immense cost they will have to incur in order to fix these defects.
Bacik has now called for government support for households impacted by construction defects in defectively built apartments.
Deputy Bacik said: "I am deeply concerned about the many apartment blocks across Dublin that have serious fire safety problems and structural defects, impacting upon thousands of people. To ensure that vital safety works are carried out on these homes, Labour is demanding that Budget 2023 include 100% refundable tax credits for those who have paid, and are paying, levies for the remediation of defects in their apartments.
"It is hard to overstate the scale of this problem. While we await the imminent publication of the report by the Working Group on Defective Homes, my understanding is that up to 100,000 apartments are impacted, with up to 44,000 of these in the process of being remediated right now. However, there are concerns that the vital safety works being carried out may be deferred, causing unnecessary risk to health and safety for the tens of thousands of people living in these apartments.
"These people live at real risk of fire in their home. They need this government to provide them with security and peace of mind. In my own constituency, a woman recently told me that she fears she will be unable to help her daughter progress into third level education due to the cost of making her defectively built apartment compliant with fire safety regulations.
"Today, we learn that inflation has hit the highest rate in 38 years. In the midst of this unprecedented cost of living crisis, those households in defectively built apartments have an additional fear of debt due to the cost of fixing the defects; they also fear increased insurance costs, and due to the ongoing cost liability, many are simply unable to sell their homes, even where their families have outgrown them. They need supports from Government, in particular through the introduction of refundable tax credits to cover the remediation costs already incurred or ongoing.
"I welcome the positive response by the Tánaiste to my call for such supports; and his acknowledgment that Government will need to offer a response to the households affected so adversely by defective construction practices."
This statement comes as Labour leader Ivana Bacik questioned the Tánaiste in the Dáil yesterday, 14 July.
After meeting with a number of those living in such apartments, found mainly in Dublin, Deputy Bacik has said they are now living in fear – fear for fire safety in their homes and fear because of the immense cost they will have to incur in order to fix these defects.
Bacik has now called for government support for households impacted by construction defects in defectively built apartments.
Deputy Bacik said: "I am deeply concerned about the many apartment blocks across Dublin that have serious fire safety problems and structural defects, impacting upon thousands of people. To ensure that vital safety works are carried out on these homes, Labour is demanding that Budget 2023 include 100% refundable tax credits for those who have paid, and are paying, levies for the remediation of defects in their apartments.
"It is hard to overstate the scale of this problem. While we await the imminent publication of the report by the Working Group on Defective Homes, my understanding is that up to 100,000 apartments are impacted, with up to 44,000 of these in the process of being remediated right now. However, there are concerns that the vital safety works being carried out may be deferred, causing unnecessary risk to health and safety for the tens of thousands of people living in these apartments.
"These people live at real risk of fire in their home. They need this government to provide them with security and peace of mind. In my own constituency, a woman recently told me that she fears she will be unable to help her daughter progress into third level education due to the cost of making her defectively built apartment compliant with fire safety regulations.
"Today, we learn that inflation has hit the highest rate in 38 years. In the midst of this unprecedented cost of living crisis, those households in defectively built apartments have an additional fear of debt due to the cost of fixing the defects; they also fear increased insurance costs, and due to the ongoing cost liability, many are simply unable to sell their homes, even where their families have outgrown them. They need supports from Government, in particular through the introduction of refundable tax credits to cover the remediation costs already incurred or ongoing.
"I welcome the positive response by the Tánaiste to my call for such supports; and his acknowledgment that Government will need to offer a response to the households affected so adversely by defective construction practices."
20/01/2025
Construction work has commenced on a cutting-edge skatepark and pump track in Downpatrick, County Down.
Project works will be carried out by civil engineering and construction firm CivCo Ltd, with the development set to feature an 80-metre pump track (approximated), incorporating a dynamic series o
20/01/2025
A new council housing estate has been successfully completed in Ballybofey, County Donegal.
The development at Cúirt an Troisc, Trusk Road, features 19 units for senior citizens and is designed around a courtyard with access to private quality open space and seating areas.
Each upper floor unit ha
20/01/2025
County Galway-based Glanua has successfully completed the acquisition of engineering and services company Marches Biogas.
Glanua, an industry leader in the municipal and industrial sectors in providing innovative and sustainable engineering solutions to design, build and deliver critical water, was
20/01/2025
A public consultation is now open regarding the Cork Docklands to City Centre Road Network Improvement Scheme.
The proposed scheme supports the rejuvenation of Cork’s Docklands and is designed to enhance public amenities in the area.
It also serves to improve the connectivity of the South Docklan
20/01/2025
Northern Ireland-based civil engineering company Dawson Wam has provided an update on its ambitious Campbeltown Old Quay Project in Scotland.
The project, for client Argyll and Bute Council, entails the installation of a new sheet piled quay wall and dredging works.
Thus far, Dawson Wam's project
20/01/2025
A road closure has been put in place to facilitate works that are progressing on a transformative public realm project in County Cork.
The Beamish & Crawford Quarter project will see the renewal of the public realm around the medieval core of Cork City – South Main Street, Tuckey Street and Proby's
20/01/2025
Essential safety works are set to take place from tomorrow to protect a reservoir in Lisburn, County Down, according to Northern Ireland's Department for Infrastructure.
The Panel Engineer at Boomer's Reservior on Derriaghy Road has recommended the removal of a row of trees on the southern boundary
20/01/2025
Works to improve water infrastructure in Ballina town centre, County Mayo, are ongoing as crews from Farrans Construction turn their attentions to Emmet Street, Uisce Éireann has announced.
The latest series of works, which include the replacement of old water pipes in the area, follow previous eff
20/01/2025
A new Dissolved Air Flotation and Filtration (DAFF) treatment system has been commissioned to commence this week at the Trim Water Treatment Plant in County Meath, Uisce Éireann has announced.
The DAFF treatment system will replace the existing unit and serve to safeguard and enhance the resilience
20/01/2025
A road closure commenced this morning to facilitate ongoing drainage, road widening and resurfacing works in County Wicklow.
The closure is in place on the L-5099 Rockey Road from the roundabout at Junction 17 off the M11 to the junction of Ashtown Lane until Friday, January 25, to allow for the wo