Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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259. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of modular housing units for housing Ukrainian refugees and or asylum seekers that were commenced under the contract signed with a company (details supplied) in each of the months from September to date in December 2022, in tabular form. [61710/22]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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260. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated number of modular housing units for housing Ukrainian refugees and or asylum seekers that will be commenced this year. [61711/22]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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261. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date on which the contract with a company (details supplied) was signed for the construction of modular homes. [61712/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 259, 260 and 261 together.

Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia’s armed forces in February this year, Ireland has welcomed almost 62,000 Ukrainian people who have fled the war in their country. The EU’s Temporary Protection Directive provides the legal framework for assisting Ukrainians entering the EU who are officially called Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs). The Government’s overall humanitarian response is coordinated with our EU partners and other countries. Because of the sudden and unprecedented numbers of new arrivals in the State, over such a short period of time, the Government, of necessity, has had to use a range of accommodation sources to facilitate displaced Ukrainians. These include hotels, guesthouses, former religious buildings, sports halls, youth hostels, scout dens, arenas, holiday villages and tented camps as well as space in privately owned homes pledged through the Irish Red Cross.

On 11th April, the Government agreed that the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) would lead on addressing the medium and long-term need to develop capacity for Ukrainian arrivals including the possible provision of modular accommodation. A Task-force was set up, led by the DHLGH, to oversee a 3-streamed approach to modular, refurbishments and new builds.

Arising from a Memorandum from the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, considered on 26th April, the Government decided on a range of measures to boost the supply of accommodation for refugees arriving from Ukraine. These measures included a rapid build, volumetric, modular units option - the evaluation of which was to be led by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

On 28th June, 2022, the Government authorised the roll-out of a modular homes programme to provide accommodation for 2,000 Ukrainians, predominantly women and children, in 500 family units at several sites across Ireland. Since then, my Office has been working collaboratively with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as the Lead Department, and a range of other bodies such as the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, local authorities, Irish Water, ESB networks and Open Eir to deliver the modular housing programme.

Following a procurement process, John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd was appointed as the main contractor to manage the site enabling works and to arrange for the procurement, transportation and installation of the modular units for this project. The procurement process was undertaken in July and August of this year and approval to award the contract given on 25 August 2022. The contract was formally sealed by both parties on 26 October 2022.

Enabling works have started on a number of sites that have been prioritised for early development with a view to completing the overall programme for the installation and occupation of the 500 units on a phased basis up to end February 2023. The production of the 500 units required for the programme commenced in October and the units will be delivered on a phased basis starting early next year for installation according as site enabling works are completed.

Site evaluation works continue to be undertaken by my Office in collaboration with Sisk to finalise State owned sites around the country, identified by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, that will be necessary for the programme. My Office is also supporting the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth with their comprehensive programme of engagement with local representatives in areas where sites are being progressed for the installation of modular units.