Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine thousands of people have had to flee their homes and seek refuge. The State is currently providing accommodation to over 74,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine. As part of this very significant national effort, the Government approved the construction of 700 rapid-build homes on State-owned land, which aims to provide accommodation for 2,800 individuals in family units. The Office of Public Works, OPW, is leading on the design, development and delivery of the programme, while my own Department is the approving authority.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in consultation with local authorities and other public bodies, prepared an inventory of sites that may be suitable for rapid-build housing as part of the Government’s response. Once a site has been cleared for development a comprehensive programme of engagement is carried out by my Department, which involves meeting with councillors and officials of local authorities, service providers and community groups. Specific planning regulations in place for emergencies allow for the development of rapid-build accommodation quickly. However, the sites can only be used for this purpose for a maximum of three years, after which a full routine planning process must take place.

Work is well under way on the first phase of seven sites, in Mahon in Cork, Farnham Road in Cavan, Doorly Park in Sligo, Thurles in Tipperary, Claremorris in Mayo, Clonminch in Offaly and Rathdowney in Laois. Five of the sites, accommodating a total of 204 units or over 800 people, are complete and the residents have moved into their new homes. Final work is progressing on the Rathdowney and Tullamore sites, and these sites are due to be handed over by the OPW in mid-November. A total of 310 units will be delivered in 2023, accommodating just over 1,200 people. The remaining sites will be progressing and occupied in 2024.

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