I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 75 together.
Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia’s armed forces in February 2022, Ireland has welcomed almost 70,000 Ukrainian people who have fled the war in their country. The EU’s Temporary Protection Directive provides the legal framework for assisting Ukrainians entering the EU who are officially called Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs).
The Government’s overall humanitarian response is coordinated with our EU partners and other countries. Because of the sudden and unprecedented numbers of new arrivals in the State over such a short period of time, the Government, of necessity, has had to use a range of accommodation sources to facilitate displaced Ukrainians. These include hotels, guesthouses, former religious buildings, sports halls, youth hostels, scout dens, arenas, holiday villages and tented camps as well as space in privately owned homes pledged through the Irish Red Cross.
On 11th April 2022, the Government agreed that the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) would lead on addressing the medium and long-term need to develop capacity for Ukrainian arrivals including the possible provision of modular accommodation. A Task-force was set up, led by the DHLGH, to oversee a 3-streamed approach to rapid build, refurbishments and new builds.
On 28th June, 2022, the Government authorised the roll-out of the rapid build homes programme to provide accommodation for 2,000 Ukrainians nationals, in 500 family units at several sites across Ireland. Since then, my Office has been working collaboratively with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as the Lead Department, and a range of other bodies such as the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, local authorities, Irish Water, ESB networks and Open Eir to deliver the rapid build home programme.
In general terms, DCEDIY require sites that are within walking distance to services such as schools, GPs, public transport, retail and childcare taking into account town population and location.
From a technical perspective, the OPW assesses criteria such as size, level ground, nearby access to all utility facilities such as waste, water, electricity and data connectivity. In addition, the availability of a separate access from a main road available to the sites, no flooding risk or historic/archaeology on or around the site are also considered a minimum criteria.
Each site is subject to a topographical survey and the ground investigations survey. It is estimated that the process takes approximately four weeks from undertaking the survey, analysing the raw data and then producing a report. Following a site investigation report, the foundation type and the attenuation to serviced water aspects of the site are ascertained. This essentially informs how the site enabling works will be carried out. Issues such as invasive species, topography of the site and dilapidation including all site boundaries are assessed.
In October and November 2022, the OPW placed two orders with the rapid build homes manufacturers, for a total of 500 homes. Subsequently, the OPW gave an additional instruction to John Sisk and Son (Holdings) Limited in December 2022, to place a third order for 200 homes in order to secure costs. The total number of homes to be delivered by the Rapid Build Programme is 700. This programme of works is due to be complete within 2023 with no current plan to extend the programme into 2024.
The manufacturing period for the production of the rapid build homes requires a minimum of 10 weeks and the timeframe for enabling works on sites is a minimum of 12 weeks. The timeline varies greatly depending on the nature and quality of site conditions, existing services and the outcome of the site investigations.
