Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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75. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the protocols in respect of modular housing; if he will provide an outline of the Departments and agencies of the State that are involved in the construction of modular housing. [5970/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the State is currently accommodating 57,200 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who were forced to flee Ukraine because of the Russian invasion.

In response to the crisis, the Government has sought to provide a range of accommodation solutions. As part of this considerable national effort, the Government has approved the construction of 700 rapid build homes on state owned land, which will aim to provide accommodation to 2800 individuals in family units.

The OPW is leading on the design, development and delivery of the programme. My Department is the Approving Authority for the Programme and has responsibility for the ownership of the homes and their future use.

To identify sites for the programme, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage sought information from public authorities on sites in their ownership, which might be suitable for the installation of the homes. On foot of the responses received, the Department provided a shorter list of potentially suitable sites to DCEDIY and OPW.

In the first instance it is necessary to carry out site investigation to ensure suitability of sites for development. Once a site has been cleared for development a comprehensive programme of engagement is carried out by my Department which involves meeting with Councillors and officials of local authorities, service providers, community groups etc

Specific planning regulations in place for emergencies such as this allow for the development of rapid build accommodation quickly. However the sites can only be used for this purpose for a maximum of three years, after which a full routine planning process must take place to determine the future use of the sites.

All the sites will have roads, footpaths, street lighting and community facilities, including a play area and green spaces in line with Local Authority planning guidance. The homes will be highly energy efficient, durable units with a 60 year lifespan and the development of the sites will be conducted in an environmentally sustainable way to ensure that, post development, the site will enhance the local area. Construction disruption will be limited as the units are manufactured off site. DCEDIY will provide for the management and maintenance of the homes and sites once they are completed.

The first phase of the programme of rapid build homes is currently being rolled out, with sites identified in Cork, Cavan, Tipperary, Sligo and Claremorris.