Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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On the 28 June 2022, the Government approved the construction of 500 rapid build accommodation units with the potential to house up to 2,000 individuals in four person family units to address the need to develop capacity for accommodating Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) displaced by the war in Ukraine. A further government decision on the 28 October 2022 expanded the programme and a further 200 units will be delivered, housing up to 2,800 people in localities across the country.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is leading on the design, development and delivery of any accommodation to be produced through rapid build construction, including associated site enabling works on available and suitable State land. My Department is the Approving Authority for the Programme and has responsibility for the ownership of these rapid build homes and their future use.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage sought information from public authorities on potential sites in their ownership which might be suitable for the installation of rapid build units. On foot of the responses received, that Department provided a shorter list of potentially suitable sites to DCEDIY and OPW.

The department is currently rolling out the first phase of the programme of rapid build homes with sites identified in Cork, Cavan, Tipperary, Sligo and Claremorris. The timeframe for the installation of the rapid build 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 start to be installed on a phased basis during February 2023 as site enabling works across a range of locations are completed. Further engagement will take place in the coming weeks regarding the next Phase of sites and communities will be notified when their location is under consideration in the next Phase.

For further information on the project please see attached link to a gov.ie webpage www.gov.ie/en/publication/ef882-rapid-build-housing/