Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
331. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the building of modular homes by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19929/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 over 72,565 people have been forced to leave their homes and have sought refuge here in Ireland. To date 63,175 of those who arrived in Ireland have sought accommodation from the State.
In response to the crisis, the Government has sought to provide a range of accommodation solutions. As part of this considerable national effort, the Government has approved the construction of 700 rapid build homes on state owned land, which will aim to provide accommodation to 2800 individuals in family units.
The OPW is leading on the design, development and delivery of the programme. My Department is the Approving Authority for the Programme and has responsibility for the ownership of the homes and their future use.
To identify sites for the programme, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage sought information from public authorities on sites in their ownership, which might be suitable for the installation of the homes. On foot of the responses received, the Department provided a shorter list of potentially suitable sites to DCEDIY and OPW.
The emphasis of this programme is on the delivery of quality homes which will enhance local environments and this has been a priority. Once completed, these developments will be to a high standard and will include permanent infrastructure, high quality public realm, streets, water, waste, roads, pedestrian routes, lighting, landscaping, semi-private front curtilage and small private rear gardens.
Work is well underway on the first phase of 7 sites, with the delivery of units already happening on a number of those sites in preparation for the start of a phased occupation over the next few months. So far, locations in Cavan Town, Mahon in Cork, Thurles, Sligo Town, Claremorris, Rathdowney and Clonminch are being progressed.
The first of the sites at Mahon in Cork and Cavan Town will be completed for handover to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) around end-May/early June 2023, with residents expected to be able to move in from mid-June onwards. This is subject to any technical issues arising during construction.
