Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

82. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the person or body responsible for the property at a location (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if it is his Department or the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; if he is aware that there are enforcement issues regarding this property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19198/24]

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My question is on an issue about which I know the Minister is aware because we have discussed it a number of times. It is in respect of a property in County Kilkenny that he is aware of and on which he has the details. I am trying to figure out exactly what is the update in relation to it. Is it with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth or with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage? There are serious enforcement issues and other issues that I will go into later. I would appreciate if he could give us some information on it.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her engagement on this issue, about which we have spoken a number of times, and her constituency colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, has also been in touch on the issue.

In January 2023, through the online offers portal on gov.ie, my Department received a commercial offer of temporary accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection fleeing the conflict in Ukraine at the location to which the Deputy refers. As the proposal involved a property requiring significant conversion and refurbishment works, in February 2023 the offer was referred to the emergency refurbishment (Ukraine) programme, ERUP, overseen by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and approved by Government.

As with all offers of accommodation to accommodate beneficiaries of temporary protection, but most particularly with regard to those requiring conversion or refurbishment, a detailed assessment must be carried out to ensure the property being offered is prepared to the required standard and complies with building, fire and other statutory requirements. The ERUP provides the structures to enable such assessments to take place with the assistance of local authorities.

The relevant council has assessed the plans for this proposal with regard to suitability, compliance with the guidelines for temporary accommodation in existing buildings for those fleeing the war in Ukraine, and the project's capacity to comply with key regulatory requirements. I understand that discussions in this regard are ongoing and any issues with regard to planning, environment or other regulatory requirements are being dealt with through that process.

I emphasise that my Department’s acceptance of this property is fully dependent on all the necessary statutory and regulatory requirements being met and the accommodation centre being substantially compliant with the aforementioned guidelines. In that regard, the property to which the Deputy refers is not currently in contract with my Department for the provision of accommodation to Ukrainians and will not be until the relevant conditions have been met. Our community engagement team informed the Deputy and other Deputies late last week of the current situation. There is currently no contract but we are engaging in respect of this property.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. As he knows, we have a number of locations throughout Carlow and Kilkenny and I have no issue or difficulty. I am raising this issue because I share the concerns of the community. It is a fantastic community and there are already a number of Ukrainian families living in the area. It could be argued that the holiday homes there will not be proper, long-term accommodation but the community has rallied around and stepped up to welcome everybody.

The area in question is a rural townland and there is no infrastructure. I know of two other turnkey properties that have been offered in Kilkenny, one in the city and the other in Slieveroe. Those properties would be far more suitable. They are ready to go and it would make more sense to use them.

There is an issue because there is no public transport and there are no schools. It is a 13 km round trip to get to any shops, schools or facilities. There are also serious issues with public wastewater, sewerage and water. Building housing, for both the local authority or an individual, is not an option at the moment. This is an area that needs local authority housing but it is not an option due to those concerns in respect of sewerage and water. I do not see how this would be a suitable location. We are setting people up for failure if they move into the facility in question.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I recognise that a significant number of Ukrainians are resident across counties Kilkenny and Carlow. I recognise the welcome they have received from communities. Ukrainians are being accommodated in urban and rural areas. People are being accommodated in many different situations all over Ireland. Our primary focus is on meeting the necessary guidelines we have set out for the refurbishment of buildings. The building in question is being considered under one specific stream, that is, the refurbishment stream, which applies to existing buildings that are being refurbished and repurposed for the provision of emergency accommodation solely for Ukrainians. As I say, the scheme being worked through the Department of housing is examining this particular building, but it will only be contracted by my Department for Ukrainian accommodation if it meets the requirements of those guidelines.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand there would be a mix or rural and urban accommodation but surely there must be consideration of whether transport and facilities are available. To put it in people's minds, the facility in question is an old equestrian centre, so you can imagine the level of accommodation we will be able to provide. It will certainly not be up to standard. There are also serious issues in respect of compliance, and I know that has been brought to the local authority's attention. What is frustrating for the people in the community is that they do not seem to be getting answers in respect of what they should do or to whom they should speak about the compliance issues. It feels as if no matter what happens, the box is going to be ticked. It is potentially setting a dangerous precedent, especially when there is a need for housing in that area and other people cannot build houses there because of the issues I have set out in respect of water and sewerage.

I welcome that the Minister has said no contract has been signed yet. There is, however, a feeling that serious works are going on, all day at times. Does someone do that level of work and get no contract? You can understand where the community is coming from, particularly when there are no answers. Sixty-six families moved in initially. The Minister is welcome to come to the area to see the seriously bad bend on the road. Those families were involved in getting high-visibility vests and everything else for people to allow them to be somewhat safe in the area. The facility is not suitable.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have converted many types of buildings for use as Ukrainian accommodation. The Deputy has set out her concerns about the use of equestrian facilities but we have done it successfully in Millstreet and in Kill. Those are two areas in which we have converted equestrian accommodation into emergency accommodation in recent times, recognising the scale of our accommodation challenge.

I know from engagement with the Deputy and other TDs that there is an enforcement issue in respect of some materials or objects on the site. I understand that is being worked through with Kilkenny County Council at the moment.

For the contract, we require compliance with these guidelines and a contract will not be issued until we determine there is compliance. If there is no compliance, we will not be in a position to contract at the location irrespective of what works a potential provider might have done previously. I am happy to continue to engage with the Deputy on the issue.