A tsunami of homelessness is coming down the line unless the Government addresses accommodation problems, campaigners in Co Donegal have warned.

The Government agreed to finance a €2.2 billion scheme to rebuild and restructure an estimated 7,500 homes which have been structurally damaged by mica. 

However, under the plan, a number of homeowners will have to find alternative accommodation during structural work. 

Inishowen-based campaigner Paddy Diver said as things stand, alternative accommodation is simply unavailable. 

“There’s a tsunami of houses being tossed out in Donegal,” he said. “They have nowhere to go because the Government's got nothing lined up for them, no accommodation.” 

Mr Diver said many families will likely have to uproot to find accommodation in another area, taking children away from friends and out of schools.  

“That just shows a lack of planning,” he said. “It's such shambles at the minute.” 

A Donegal home crumbling due to Mica. Image: Thomas Lukassek / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Diver also said there are delays in rebuilding because the Government are not paying contractors, forcing them to halt construction.  

“The money’s not coming in, there’s a retention there,” he said. “The homeowner has to go pay more loans to try and get it. There's no plan in place.” 

Recently, a report found that mica is not the primary cause of defective concrete blocks found in thousands of Donegal homes. In thousands of houses, the mineral pyrrhotite was found in defective concrete blocks.  

The report said the Government must ensure science-based solutions are at the core all policies.