Fewer than 80 people have been granted an exemption from the local property tax for claiming pyrite in their home.
Figures released from the Department of Finance show 76 householders have been excused from paying the levy.
More than 2,000 people have applied for the exemption but the statistics show less than five per cent have been successful.
Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty said the figures, which he received in response to a parliamentary question, highlight the ineffectiveness of the scheme.
“While it has been well established that this scheme has been ineffective, to say the least, the figure of 76 exemptions is scandalously low,” he said.
“At the time of the announcement of the exemption it was portrayed as a relief for families unfortunate enough to have through no fault of their own huge problems in their homes.
“Now it seems, like a lot of the spin from this Government, the reality did not match the rhetoric.”
The exemption was announced in May 2013 by then minister for the environment Phil Hogan.
To qualify, a homeowner must receive a certificate from an engineer confirming the presence of pyrite damage.
It is estimated up to 20,000 houses could be damaged by the substance, which can cause major structural issues and cost tens of thousands to fix.
There is also a separate scheme available to homeowners affected by pyrite which allows them to apply for funds to have the problem repaired. Figures recently showed 630 applications were received and 485 were granted. But fewer than 10 have been processed and completed.
‘Verification checks’
The department said of the 2,000 exemptions from property tax applied for, 76 have been granted and a further 600 have had a hold put on them as Revenue awaits further documentation.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said the remaining claims were “either found to be ineligible following verification checks by Revenue or did not provide the required level of supporting documentation”.
Mr Noonan said a review of the property tax has been submitted and any proposals are being considered as part of the upcoming budget.
“Any recommendations that are included in the review findings in regard to pyritic damage will be considered in the context of the upcoming budget.
“Until then Revenue has no alternative but to apply the eligibility criteria as currently set down.”
Mr Doherty said a review of the existing situation is not good enough. He said this scheme was to benefit tens of thousands of people struggling with pyrite in their homes.
