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Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien: The enhanced program may be extended to other counties such as Clare. Photography: Dara Mac Dónaill

The new building standards regulator will be granted the power to inspect buildings, products, and companies as part of a new plan to solve problems caused by defective neighborhoods.

According to sources, the government is finalizing a package plan to resolve the mica crisis, with the focus being to ensure that the same situation does not happen again.

A source said that this would involve placing building standards regulators and agencies on a statutory basis with a wide range of responsibilities.

Frustrated that the existing policies do not provide coverage for issues such as pyrite and mica, the coverage provided by insurance companies will also be reviewed.

At the ministerial meeting on Tuesday night, described as fruitful, most of the discussions surrounding the new mica plan involved the details of who will manage the enhancement plan.

The government hopes that the Housing Department will manage the plan and is prepared to provide it with substantial additional resources.

It is understood that an agreement has also been reached to pay ancillary expenses such as rent and furniture storage to the affected homeowners. The exact figures have not yet been announced.

Negotiations are continuing to reach an agreement on a cost cap for homeowners, but it may be around 400,000 euros.

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien stated in Dáil that the enhanced program may be extended to other counties such as Clare.

"A lot of work on the defective massive mica scheme is underway, and I hope to reach a conclusion soon. This will have a positive impact on other counties.

He said he visited Claire with his colleagues in the summer, met with the homeowner and visited their home.

"We received a submission from the local authority in July requesting that the flawed collective funding scheme be extended to Co Clare."

Mr. O'Brien said he has asked his officials to deal with outstanding clarifications and outstanding issues.

"The extension of the plan to Claire or other local authorities will be seen as part of the broader review of the plan currently underway. I intend to submit a memorandum to the government regarding these changes soon.

"I hope it will expand to Claire when all the data are the same."

Mica is a mineral that can absorb water, which can cause cracks and breakage in bricks containing it. As Claire, Limerick, and Sligo have more problems after Donegal and Mayo first experienced problems, the possible cost of rebuilding or repairing the affected houses is rapidly increasing.

A new plan will be submitted to the cabinet next week.

On Thursday, Taoisach Michael Martin promised a "comprehensive solution."

"Once the government signs and makes a decision on this, people will see that this will be a very comprehensive solution for people and will enable them to rebuild their houses, not as they currently face under existing plans. That kind of pressure."

The former chief whip of the government and Federalist Minister Joe McHugh once said that if the final plan does not meet the wishes of the homeowner, he will "consider all options" politically.

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