Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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73. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated number of modular units that he expect to have built for Ukrainian refugees by the end of 2022. [53801/22]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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74. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has visited modular building companies to assess their capabilities of delivering modular units for Ukrainian refugees; and if he will provide details of which companies he visited and the dates of same. [53802/22]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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75. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the locations that have been identified for the location of modular homes for refugees; if he will provide full details of these locations and whether he is aware if there are any issues with these locations which could prevent them being used for that purpose. [53803/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 to 75, inclusive, together.

The position is that John Sisk and Son Holding Ltd. (Sisk) has been appointed as the main contractor for site enabling works and for the procurement, transportation and installation of 500 modular homes under the programme approved by the Government as part of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis. The 500 homes will have the capacity to accommodate 2,000 Ukrainians (in family units of 4). Sisk has sub-contracted five companies spread across Ireland to build modular homes for the programme to the OPW’s specification. An order for the manufacture of 250 modular homes for the first phase of the programme will be placed with the manufacturers imminently. The lead in-line for the manufacturing process is estimated at around 10 weeks. Further orders will be placed later this year for the balance of the homes required to complete the programme and for any further expansion of it that may be authorised by the Government.

The timeframe for the installation of the modular homes has recently been recalibrated in the light of experience to date with evaluation and assessment of the suitability of sites, engagement with representatives of communities located adjacent to sites and the timescale for the manufacture of the homes required. Accordingly, It is now expected these homes will be installed on a phased basis during January and February 2023 as site enabling works across a range of locations are completed. All modular sites will have roads, footpaths, street lighting and community facilities, including a play area and green spaces fully in line with Local Authority planning guidance. The modular homes will be well built, highly energy efficient, durable units. The development of the sites will be fully compliant with social housing regulations and conducted in an environmentally sustainable way to ensure that, post development, the site will enhance the local area.

I visited several of the modular home manufacturers, as part of the early development phase, by my Office, of an exemplar model of the modular homes. This model was used to specify the required standards and inform the construction industry in advance of the appointment of the main Contractor. Sisk was subsequently appointed as the Main Contractor, and in a separate process the company has tendered to the market for the supply of the modular homes, using the specifications, quality and assurances developed by the OPW.

A number of interrelated activities are taking place simultaneously relating to the selection, assessment and design development of a range of sites around the country. Currently, sites in Cork, Cavan, Thurles and Sligo are being progressed.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, as the lead Department, has engaged and continues to engage with local representatives in communities where modular housing is progressing. Information has been provided by the Department via various channels including interpersonal briefings, newspaper ads and web content on www.gov.ie/en/publication/65a50-modular-housing/