A group of Mayo homeowners affected by the ongoing pyrite controversy have appealed the decision of Mayo County Council to reject their applications for redress.
They were deemed ineligible for grant aid despite reports of engineers stating that their homes had been damaged.
Cracks have been appearing in homes across north Mayo for decades with independent tests subsequently confirming that the damage was caused by pyrite levels in concrete blocks.
Elaine O'Sullivan lives in Killala and her house was tested by an engineer who highlighted the "pattern cracking" on her external walls with blue marker.
She paid €5,000 to get samples taken to a lab and have the results assessed for pyrite. The money is refunded when the house is approved for grant aid. This house was rejected.
Elaine broke down in tears as she described the trauma of being told in a letter from the council that she was ineligible for grant aid.
"I have a house that nobody would touch now. I paid €5,000 to get an engineer's report and did everything asked for the council. I have certified, scientific proof that the house is damaged with high levels of pyrite and then I get a rejection letter. It's an absolute disgrace."
The stress is taking its toll on neighbours in estates where some have been approved for the scheme and others rejected. Nuala Stewart lives in Ballina and got a rejection letter. Her neighbour two doors down was approved. The houses were bought at the same time and tests carried out by the same engineer.
"All I do is cry all the time. My house is my only asset. What am I going to do now going forward. I’m not getting any younger and I feel so vulnerable. This is a lovely community but these decisions by the council are causing huge upset amongst us."
The homeowners arrived together in Swinford to personally hand in their appeals to the Housing Office of Mayo County Council.
They are calling for greater clarity on how applications are assesssed for the Government's Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme.
Aine McNamee lives in Ballina and said she is physically and emotionally drained by the ongoing battle to get access to the scheme.
'I'm eight months pregnant," she said. "I should be nesting and thinking about the arrival of my baby. Instead I’m stressed out wondering where I’m going to be living in a couple of years and what is going to happen to my crumbling home. Mayo County Council need to do something."
In a statement, Mayo County Council said it "fully understands and acknowledges that this is a stressful time for householders caught up in the scheme".
So far 101 applications have been received of which 74 have been approved. There are 7 applications requiring further detail and in the case of 20 applicants, "we are unable to confirm eligibility under the scheme," the council said.
Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary said he has been speaking with his party colleague, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, to discuss the scheme’s shortfalls in terms of funding. He said Mayo County Council would now be required to have these homes deemed not eligible, inspected and assessed during the appeals process.
