Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 September 2022
192. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a proposal (details supplied); if this project is being advanced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45009/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Government approved the provision of modular houses as part of its plans to address the need to develop capacity for accommodating Ukrainian arrivals.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is the lead Department, for the modular homes programme, supported by the OPW as the contracting authority with responsibility for managing its detailed implementation. The OPW has recently carried out an accelerated procurement procedure to engage a main contractor for site preparation work and the acquisition, transportation and installation of the modular homes.
The site selection process was coordinated initially by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with information on potential state owned sites provided by each Local Authority and other public authorities. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has been assessing the sites that are considered suitable, having regard to their proximity to various facilities and local services such as retail, schools, health services and public transport. The OPW is continuing the process of initial surveys on a range of sites to assess site-specific suitability from a technical perspective.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, with support from the OPW, is currently carrying out a community engagement programme, involving direct contact with representatives of local communities living adjacent to sites selected for the installation of modular homes, to apprise them of the details of the programme and its impact on their area.
Given the emergency nature of this significantly accelerated programme, the development of modular homes by the OPW will be on State owned land. Therefore, while there are no plans at this stage for OPW / State involvement at the site referenced by the Deputy, other options like the proposal received from the Deputy may be considered if the situation changes.
