The LYIT men’s soccer side secured home advantage in the semi finals of the Colleges and Universities league on Tuesday, thanks with a 3-0 victory over Dundalk IT.
All three goals came in the second half of the game played at the LYIT Sports Field with Joel Bradley Walsh, Mark McFadden and Oran Brogan getting on the score sheet.
That semi final will be played in early February next year.
1,585 new coronavirus cases have been recorded in the North in the last 24 hours.
There have been 2 additional covid related deaths.
There are 341 patients being treated for the disease in hospital in Northern Ireland, with 31 in ICU.
Emergency services are currently attending an incident in Letterkenny.
A large Garda presence is being reported in the Port Bridge area of the town.
Traffic delays are expected.
There are no further details at this stage.
Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has clashed with Taoiseach Michael Martin over the details of the revised Defective Blocks Redress Scheme.
Earlier, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien acknowledged that the rebuilding cap of €420,000 and €145 per sq. ft for the first 1,000 sq. ft will fall short for some.
However, in the Dail this afternoon, Deputy Thomas Pringle said the details of the scheme mean most homeowners will incur extra costs……….
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/pringmich.mp3
The Taoiseach says Sinn Fein could have got involved in working towards an enhanced Mica Redress Scheme but didn’t.
It’s understood that a written request was made two months ago after the working group report was published to invite submissions from the opposition on how the scheme could be improved further.
However Sinn Fein nor other opposition parties responded.
Micheal Martin was taking questions in the Dail by Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty:
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/pearsemicadail1pm.mp3
Responding, the Taoiseach says the reason Sinn Fein didn’t get involved because they wanted to exploit it down the line for political gain:
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/martindailmica1pm.mp3
Here is the full test of the government statement issued this afternoon –
Minister O’Brien announces enhancements to the Defective Concrete Block Scheme
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD has announced significant enhancements to the Defective Concrete Block Scheme.
Minister O’Brien said the core issues raised in relation to the current Scheme, i.e. homeowner concerns relating to cost recovery and assurances regarding the remediated homes would be addressed through immediate actions while administrative, technical and scientific issues would be addressed through medium term legislative changes and critical longer-term research.
Key improvements to the Scheme include:
-The current 90% maximum grant will be increased to a 100% grant for all remediation options 1-5
-The maximum grant cap for option 1 (demolition and rebuild) will be increased to €420,000 from €247,500
– The grant calculation methodology will be based on the cost per square foot (psf) of rebuilding the existing home, with costings to be set by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in consultation with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland. An indicative rate of €145 per square foot for the first 1,000 sq foot based on SCSI methodology with a sliding scale thereafter.
– A revised application process will be introduced which will only require the homeowner to submit an initial ‘Building Condition Assessment’ at minimal cost recoupable on entry to the Scheme
– Alternative accommodation and storage costs to be included, subject to a maximum of €20,000
– In relation to works carried out under remediation options 2-5, a second grant option, will be available for such a home in the future if blockwork which was not removed as part of the initial remediation work subsequently proves defective in accordance with the IS;465 standard
– A new independent appeals process will be introduced
– The Scheme will be extended beyond the current scope of Principle Private Residences only, to also cover RTB registered rental properties, subject to the introduction of a clawback mechanism upon re-sale within a set time period depending on the remediation option used. Opportunities for the State to acquire such rental properties for social housing purposes will also be examined.
Minister O’Brien acknowledged the affected homeowners and thanked them for their involvement in the process saying, “Since establishing the working group just five months ago, affected homeowners have put a significant amount of time and effort into working with my Department and the Housing Agency on enhancements to the Scheme which will ultimately help them to rebuild their homes and rebuild their lives which have been so badly impacted by defective concrete blocks. In recognition of the extreme toll this has had on people’s mental health enhanced mental health supports will also be made available to defective concrete block homeowners in the affected counties in collaboration with the Department of Health.
“We are making a number of significant enhancements to the current scheme, removing the 10% contribution from homeowners and increasing the maximum grant cap to €420,000. We are removing upfront prohibitive costs, providing alternative accommodation costs, giving planning exemptions for like-for-like homes, and introducing a strengthened certification process for remediated homes. We want the affected homeowners to have confidence in this scheme and to know they are being supported by Government.
“Peoples’ safety has always been our immediate concern and I have requested that a fund be made available so that any costs associated with essential health and safety works, on foot of an engineer’s recommendation as part of the ‘Building Condition Assessment’ process will explicitly be an allowable cost, subject to a maximum of €5,000.
“It’s important to note there are potentially more than 7,500 affected homes, including social homes, and in recognition of the mammoth task which local authorities face, the Housing Agency will, in time, act as agents for each local authority in assessment, testing and categorisation of applications received. This will ensure an appropriate schedule of works will be done with the most damaged family homes remediated first.
“I do not underestimate the scale of works which will be carried out and the associated costs which will be incurred by the State. As such a levy on the construction industry will be put in place. It will be developed next year and will be introduced in Finance Bill 2022 to apply from 2023.
“Just as important as the changes to the scheme, we also need to ensure this type of crisis never happens again. To prevent future problems the government is also establishing a new Building Standards regulator, a Building Industry register and tasking the NSAI with reviewing concrete block standards to ensure the highest standards are complied with into the future.
“Let me be very clear in saying this Government will also explore all options in pursuing potentially liable wrongdoers and I will continue to work with the Attorney General in this regard.
“I have consistently said the State has a moral obligation to assist affected homeowners and that is what we are doing through this enhanced scheme,” he concluded.
Notes –
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage may, with Government approval, extend the Scheme, beyond Donegal and Mayo, to additional counties as appropriate and required.
The potential for an industry levy to financially contribute to the Scheme will be investigated.
Options for the pursuit of potentially liable wrongdoers, including a review of the statute of limitations for the discovery of latent defects will be explored.
A review of latent defects insurance be undertaken.
A review will be undertaken by a Senior Counsel into the role of the industry and regulations in generating mica/pyrite issues.
The National Standards Authority of Ireland, Masonry Committee, will be tasked with a special review of concrete blocks standards, including engagement with stakeholders and issuing recommendations.
Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn, Sinn Fein’s Chief Whip told the Dail this afternoon that Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien needs to come before TDs top answer questions about the revised Mica redress scheme.
He says the Taoiseach failed to answer questions about the scheme today……….
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/podtues-2.mp3
Shane McEleney has left Finn Harps and rejoined his hometown club Derry City.
The centre half has signed on at the Brandywell on a 1-year contract, with the option of a second season.
He made 183 appearances for Derry between 2009 and 2015.
Just last week Shane’s brother Patrick returned to Derry from Dundalk.
Shane feels there is an exciting time ahead for Derry:
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/5SHANE.mp3
Derry boss Ruaidhri Higgins says Shane comes back to Derry a better player:
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/5HIGGINS.mp3
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien says he doesn’t want to see a crisis like Mica ever happen again.
He says the Government is making an extraordinary intervention as the revised redress scheme is unveiled.
He has acknowledged that the rebuilding cap of €420,000 and €145 per sq. ft for the first 1,000 sq. ft will fall short for some.
Remediation works are not expected to begin until next year.
The PRO of the Mica Action Group while welcoming today’s scheme which has come before Cabinet, says there is still work to be done.
Farm and commercial buildings and community centres are not believed to have been included in today’s announcement.
In a social media post, Michael Doherty says there are outstanding issues but affected homeowners are in a better position in terms of gaining redress:
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/michaeld1pm.mp3
