Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Important progress has been made on the 1,500 beds. We are looking at a modular approach and rapid-build technologies, which can cut several years off these projects. Typically, these come in blocks of 24 beds, as do the traditional builds. The Deputy will have seen that they come in blocks of 24 and 48 beds, up to 96 beds, and they come faster. We are looking at them for a number of sites around the country. We have a provisional allocation as regards where we would like to see them in order to provide maximum value. We have already put out an expression of interest to the market. I am happy to say we have had a very strong response to that, both domestically and internationally. I am now working with Government colleagues to find a way to get going on those 1,500 beds. I want to see them being delivered as quickly as possible. We are working on getting to a point where we can announce their construction.

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