Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
243. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department will be issuing a public tender or inviting tenders for the construction of two-storey modular homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32476/23]
View answerIn 2022, the Office of Public Works (OPW) was asked by Government to develop a pilot programme of an initial 500 rapid build homes on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). That number was subsequently increased to 700 late last year.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) was asked to assist in identifying sites that might be suitable by seeking information from public authorities on potential sites in their ownership.
The OPW had already begun liaising with the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) relating to the possible use of modular housing units to provide durable accommodation solutions. Those discussions considered the potential capacity of the modular manufacturing industry in Ireland to produce a product at scale and to the appropriate standard.
In conjunction with the CIF and the modular manufacturing industry, the OPW developed an exemplar design and specification to ensure Building Regulation compliance. The modular prototype that was designed is a highly energy efficient durable single storey unit (with a useful life of 60 years). The units will be fully fitted out and transported onto sites around the country.
Following a procurement procedure, the OPW selected John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Limited as the main contractor. Once appointed, the main contractor engaged with rapid build homes manufacturers, and competitively tendered to the market for the supply of rapid build homes, using the specifications for an innovative exemplar model, quality and assurances, etc developed by the OPW. The contractor established a framework of five suppliers, with the capacity to produce the homes to the required standard.
Production is continuing at pace. Work is already well underway on the first phase of seven sites, with the installation of units continuing on a contemporaneous schedule. The first of the sites (Mahon in Cork) with 64 units was completed for handover to DCEDIY on 31 May 2023. Handover dates for 4 further sites will be over the summer into July, 2023. An additional 8-9 sites are being assessed and surveys ongoing, so as to achieve delivery of 700 units.
As part of the next phase, the option of a higher density larger modular home is being considered. A number of options are being assessed to develop a proof of concept for a potential exemplar of modular housing delivery, including for social housing.
