Sligo County Council has written to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, stating that several hundred homes, mainly in rural Sligo, are affected by pyrite. As the Tánaiste knows, this has a catastrophic effect on the stability of homes. Sligo County Council has asked that Sligo be included in the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, which covers 90% of the remediation costs.

This scheme currently operates in Mayo and Donegal. Homeowners in south and west Sligo look across the border to Mayo and in north Sligo they look across the border to Donegal and see a Government-funded remedial scheme for pyrite while their own homes crumble around their ears and they have no assistance. Will the Tánaiste give a commitment that these homeowners in Sligo will be included in the scheme? If he cannot give that, will he commit to a speedy, positive response to the request through Sligo County Council?

I cannot give the Deputy a commitment right here right now but I will certainly speak to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, about it. I am familiar with the issue with pyrite and mica. Pyrite occurred in my constituency and people were included in the assistance scheme. I have been in houses with mica in them in Donegal and I worked very hard with the former Minister, Deputy Joe McHugh, to get that scheme in place. If the situation is the same for people in Sligo as for those in Mayo and Donegal, I do not see why they would not be included in the scheme. That would be natural justice. Perhaps there is a reason I do not know of but I will bring it up with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and make sure the Deputy gets a reply in the very near future.