Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2015
1052. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to proceed with the building of so-called modular housing estates, given recent renewed concern about health, safety and heating of such structures and the long periods, often decades, in which homeless families were left in such accommodation in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37606/15]
View answer1075. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his planned timeline for the delivery of 500 modular units for emergency accommodation; the number of persons these will accommodate; and the length of time while social housing is being made available. [37907/15]
View answer1076. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimates for the delivery of the 500 modular units for emergency accommodation; and the ancillary services required in tabular form. [37908/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1052, 1075 and 1076 together.
Government has approved the delivery of 500 units of modular housing for homeless families across Dublin. It is intended to have the first 150 units delivered as quickly as possible in the Dublin City Council administrative area, with the City Council acting as the contracting authority. The City Council expects the delivery of an initial 22 units by December, with a further 128 units to follow by late Quarter 1 2016 through a fast-tracked procurement process. A further 350 units will then be provided across the four local authorities in the Dublin region through a national procurement framework overseen by the Office for Government Procurement, with expected construction on sites by mid-2016. As with any form of development, the development of modular housing units must comply with all regulatory obligations including building control and fire safety requirements .
This programme of modular housing provision is being implemented to mitigate the issues associated with an increasing volume of homeless families accommodated in inappropriate commercial hotel arrangements. These units will provide emergency accommodation in the first instance, with each unit providing accommodation for a single household at a given time. While the placement of individual households in these units is intended to be on a temporary basis, such placements will offer a greater level of stability than is possible in hotel accommodation, while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured. Furthermore, such arrangements will facilitate more coordinated needs assessment and support planning for access to all required services, including welfare, health and housing services.
My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. Accordingly, it will be a matter for the relevant housing authorities to determine what ancillary services may be required .
