Modular proof of concept sites
Columb Barracks, in Mullingar, County Westmeath, was selected by Government in 2023 as 1 of 5 ‘proof of concept sites’ in order to examine the potential of rapid build ‘pod’ style accommodation.
My Department has been working as part of the Accommodation Working Group under the auspices of the Department of the Taoiseach to advance the requirements needed in order to place the ‘pods’ on this site in a timely fashion. Works commenced on this site in April 2023.
The first 49 pods have been filled by Ukrainian families. The first 20 units were occupied in December 2023 with a further 29 families being accommodated during February 2024. The remaining units are expected to be ready and occupied in May 2024, including 3 wheelchair accessible units, bringing the site to full occupancy with 62 families.
As the site is still being finalised, it is not possible to provide the information in the manner requested by the Deputy.
Rapid Build sites
As part of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis, the Government has developed a Rapid Build Housing Programme to provide accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine who request it. The programme aims to provide short-term accommodation for up to 2,800 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at several sites across Ireland. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is leading the development of this accommodation in conjunction with my Department.
The programme is being progressed under the emergency derogations from planning that were provided for by Government under S.I. No. 306 of 2022 – European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations, 2022.
The completion timelines are subject to any technical issues arising during construction. There were a number of issues that arose relating to site conditions, remedial works, boundaries, ESB connections. This delayed earlier forecasted dates of completion on sites included in the programme.
My Department does not collate the information in the manner requested by the Deputy in relation to the average completion deadline for State-owned modular units and the average completion timelines for units procured in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024. Below set out in tabular form, is a breakdown of the completion dates by phases and by county.
Breakdown by phases
Phase 1 Sites
|
Start Date
|
Finish Date
|
Ballinure Way, Mahon, Cork
|
25/10/22
|
31/05/23
|
Doorly Park, Sligo
|
30/11/22
|
07/07/23
|
Cluain Ard, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
|
30/11/22
|
21/07/23
|
Gortataggart Way, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
|
23/11/22
|
16/08/23
|
Kilian Place, Farnham Rd, Cavan
|
10/11/22
|
25/08/23
|
Phase 1 average completion time: 244.8 days
Phase 2 Sites
|
Start Date
|
Finish date
|
Spring Crescent, Rathdowney, Co. Laois
|
27/03/23
|
06/12/23
|
Clonminch Place, Clonminch, Tullamore
|
27/03/23
|
21/11/23
|
Phase 2 average completion time: 246.5 days
Phase 3 Sites
|
Start date:
|
Target finish date
|
Stonewell, Backweston, Co. Dublin
|
10/07/23
|
08/07/24
|
Rathgoggan Way, Charleville, Co. Cork
|
17/07/23
|
02/08/24
|
Phase 3 average completion time based on target completion dates: 373 days
Phase 4 Sites
|
Start date
|
Target finish date
|
Cluain Buí, Pollboy, Ballinasloe
|
29/08/23
|
02/08/24
|
Clonmel, Tipperary
|
Mid May 2024
|
Feb 2025
|
Phase 4 average completion time based on target completion dates: N/A as start date has not commenced for all sites
Breakdown by county
An average completion timelines of units procured by county is provided below, where applicable.
Cork
Site name
|
Start Date
|
Finish date/Target Finish Date
|
Ballinure Way, Mahon, Cork
|
25/10/22
|
31/05/23
|
Rathgoggan Way, Charleville, Co. Cork
|
17/07/23
|
02/08/24
|
Co. Cork average estimated average completion time: 300 days
Sligo
Site name
|
Start Date
|
Finish date
|
Doorly Park, Sligo
|
30/11/22
|
07/07/23
|
Co. Sligo completion time: 219 days
Mayo
Site name
|
Start Date
|
Finish date
|
Cluain Ard, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
|
30/11/22
|
21/07/23
|
Co. Mayo completion time: 233 days
Tipperary
Site name
|
Start Date
|
Finish date/Target Finish Date
|
Gortataggart Way, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
|
23/11/22
|
16/08/23
|
Clonmel, Tipperary
|
Mid May 2024
|
Feb 2025
|
Co Tipperary average completion time: N/A as start date has not commenced for all sites
Cavan
Site name
|
Start Date
|
Finish date
|
Kilian Place, Farnham Rd, Cavan
|
10/11/22
|
25/08/23
|
Co Cavan completion time: 288 days
Laois
Site name
|
Start Date
|
Finish date
|
Spring Crescent, Rathdowney, Co. Laois
|
27/03/23
|
06/12/23
|
Co Laois completion time: 254 days
Offaly
Site name
|
Start Date
|
Finish date
|
Clonminch Place, Clonminch, Tullamore
|
27/03/23
|
21/11/23
|
Co. Offaly completion time: 239 days
Dublin
Site name
|
Start Date
|
Target Finish Date
|
Stonewell, Backweston, Co. Dublin
|
10/07/23
|
08/07/24
|
Co Dublin estimated completion time: 364 days
Galway
Site name
|
Start Date
|
Target Finish date
|
Cluain Buí, Pollboy, Ballinasloe
|
29/08/23
|
02/08/24
|
Co Galway estimated completion time: 339 days