Estimates vary as to the extent of private dwellings affected by Pyrite, some put this figure at over 1,000. But if it is discovered then the cost can become a real headache. Then the blame game clicks in. A consumer might well feel aggrieved if after purchasing a dwelling they find themselves having to deal with a problem that they were completely unaware of and cost them thousands. Thankfully the Government recognised the extent of the problem and the necessity to have the situation remedied. They approved Exchequer funding for a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented under the auspices of the Pyrite Resolution Board (PRB).

While the State is neither culpable nor liable for the pyrite problem, it nevertheless took responsibility to provide solutions for homeowners, whose homes through no fault of their own, have been significantly damaged by pyritic heave and who have been left with no viable means of redress following the withdrawal of cover for pyrite damage by HomeBond in the summer of 2011.

In many instances the builders of these dwelling will have long gone so the Government scheme steps in but in more recently constructed buildings a civil action might be available. Assuming the contractor builds on land owned by the home owner then the builder, if he introduced the pyrite, could be sued under the Defective Products Act, 1991 and the consumer could also sue the supplier of the pyrite.