Potential problems with radon membranes, roof tiles as well as blockwork and plasterboard that may be damaged by water ingress are among the issues identified at Dublin City Council's largest social housing project in Coolock in north Dublin.
Two roof dormers that were built too close together at the Oscar Traynor Woods development will also have to be separated and "elements deconstructed", according to Dublin City Council's Assistant Chief Executive Mick Mulhern.
He told the council's monthly meeting that building work remains paused at the site while a survey by the developer, Glenveagh, continues to survey the defects and reports on proposals to remedy them.
Mr Mulhern said between 62 and 64 homes in the scheme are almost complete and while there are "some issues with some of them" he said the council is still working on the basis that the first phase of the project will be completed by the end of this year.
The council official said if remediation was required that it will be carried out in full.
Mr Mulhern also said that he was not aware of reports that 200 staff had been temporarily laid off at the site, but that the only work ongoing on the site was essential work to make the site safe.
He also said the Health and Safety Authority did not identify any issues with the site when it visited it. Building Control has also carried out six site visits and will continue to do unannounced visits, Mr Mulhern added.
Fine Gael Councillor Declan Flanagan expressed concern about the staff on the site saying that if the pause in building goes on for too long the contractor may not be able to get staff back.
Independent Councillor John Lyons said he was concerned about the tone and tenor of the presentation he had received by another party on the issue which he said appeared to be dismissive of Building Control.
Sinn Féin Councillor Edel Moran said it was a priority that construction on this site was not stopped and continued to push ahead.
Green Party Cllr and Deputy Lord Mayor Donna Cooney said she was concerned that basic standards were not met and asked how those kinds of mistakes could be made, while Labour Councillor Darragh Moriarty said he was hugely concerned by the range of defects outlined and was concerned about the timeline for delivery.
People Before Profit-Solidarity Councillor Conor Reddy asked if lessons had been learned from this incident and said it highlights the issues with relying on large private developers to build council housing.
Independent Councillor Mannix Flynn asked if the delays would result in extra costs and said he did not want the project to end up in a "Children's Hospital scenario".
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil Councillor Daryl Barron said councillors needed to know when the issues will be remediated.
