A housing expert says the Mica controversy shows the need to properly regulate building companies.
The mineral, which is in building blocks, can cause enormous structural problems.
It comes as thousands of affected homeowners are demonstrating in Dublin later today.
Thousands of demonstrators making their way to Leinster House from the Convention Centre.
Homeowners affected by Mica/Pyrite are calling for a redress scheme to be increased from 90% to 100%.#MicaProtest #Pyrite pic.twitter.com/5meaPMqSsQ— Josh Crosbie (@JoshCrosbie3) June 15, 2021
Mica Action Group Wants Government To Go Further
Many of those who will march in the capital have seen their homes devastated by Mica.
And some homeowners now face having to demolish and entirely rebuild their properties.
While the government currently funds 90% of the construction cost.
However, Michael Doherty from the Mica Action Group says it should go further.
"That 90-10 is more like a 60-40 for the vast majority of homeowners."
"People from Donegal aren't in Dublin today looking for 10%."
"Those from Donegal are looking for 40% of what it costs to make a home back into a home."
Self Regulation Is A Major Problem
Housing lecturer at Technological University Dublin Lorcan Sirr says a major problem is self-regulation in the building sector.
"At the heart of this is that the industry is allowed to regulate its own work."
"It's like asking Leaving Cert students to mark their own exam papers."
He says the regulators need to be, "totally independent," from those who employ them.
A Sinn Féin motion calling for 100 percent compensation for homeowners affected by Mica will go through the Dáil later today.
And it is not expected to be opposed by the government.
Which has indicated it will instead look at further improving its redress scheme.
