I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 441 together.
As part of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis, the Government has developed a Rapid Build Housing Programme to provide accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine who request it. The programme aims to provide short-term accommodation for up to 2,800 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at several sites across Ireland. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is leading the development of this accommodation in conjunction with my Department.
This project – the first of its kind – is an important one, as it will provide a blueprint for future developments. As each phase has brought new challenges, these challenges are providing important future learnings.
The programme is being progressed under the emergency derogations from planning that were provided for by Government under S.I. No. 306 of 2022 – European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations, 2022.
The emphasis in this programme is on delivery of quality homes which will enhance local environments and this has been a priority. Each site will have roads, footpaths, street lighting, community facilities, including green spaces, fully in line with Local Authority planning guidance. The homes will be highly energy efficient, durable units with a 60 year lifespan and the development of the sites will be conducted in an environmentally sustainable way to ensure that, post development, the site will enhance the local area. Construction disruption is limited as the units are manufactured off site. In the future, the units have the potential to be utilised to address other accommodation challenges, including social housing and student accommodation.
At end of 2023 the first phase of seven sites were completed, totalling 310 units accommodating 1240 residents. These sites are at;
• Mahon, County Cork (64 units)
• Claremorris (28 units)
• Doorly Park, Sligo (22 units)
• Cavan town (28 units)
• Thurles (62 units)
• Clonminch, Offaly (64 units)
• Rathdowney, Laois (42 units)
Works are currently ongoing on sites at;
• Backweston, Lucan, Dublin (132 units)
• Pollboy, Ballinasloe, Galway (64 units)
• Rathgoggin, Charleville, Cork (66 units)
The completion timelines, subject to any technical issues arising during construction are estimated at July 2024 for Backweston and August 2024 for Pollboy and Rathgoggin.
A further HSE site in Haywood, Clonmel has been identified as viable by OPW to accommodate 82 units. Discussions are ongoing with the HSE to secure the site. There are a number of issues that have arisen over the past few months relating to site conditions, remedial works, boundaries, ESB connections, etc. This has delayed earlier forecasted dates of completion and also has led the department to make a decision to not fully complete the programme.
The cost of each unit is approximately €145,000 per unit (45m² / 484sqft), inclusive of supply, delivery and provision of loose electrical and household items. This is separate to the site development and utility connection costs, etc. relating to the overall development. As the project is still ongoing and further sites are under consideration, it is not possible to fully specify a final overall programme figure.
