Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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99. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the new report on rapid-build housing published by his Department. [57890/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Government has approved the construction of 700 rapid build homes with the potential to house up to 2,800 individuals in family units. The rapid build homes will be constructed on state owned land. The OPW is leading the development of this accommodation in conjunction with my Department. The objective is to install 500 units by March/April 2023.

All the sites will have roads, footpaths, street lighting and community facilities, including a playground and green spaces fully in line with Local Authority planning guidance. The rapid build 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.

After a programme of engagement with Public Representatives and Local Authorities, work has begun on the first phase of sites in Cork, Cavan, Claremorris, Mallow and Thurles. Following further engagement and the completion of further suitability assessment work further sites will come on stream in the coming weeks. Local Representatives in each constituency where the first phase rapid build homes are planned received a full briefing from my Departmental officials and the OPW. This briefing of Local Representatives is continuing as more sites are identified. My Department and the OPW are also engaging directly with Local Authority officials in respect of each site and community information sessions have been held in some areas where requested.

My Department is working with other Departments and Agencies to ensure that the additional resources needed are in place. My Department works closely with the Department of Health in relation to the healthcare needs of displaced people from Ukraine. The HSE is being notified of the proposed number of residents for each site and associated potential healthcare needs. The Department of Education is planning for the extra school places that may be needed. If the local school does not have enough places, alternative arrangements will be made to bring occupant children to schools close by.

The county’s Community Response Forum will be responsible for coordinating the integration of refugees into local areas. My Department is funding additional workers in each local authority to support the integration of new arrivals into the local areas. The Government is also providing funding for community initiatives to support persons displaced by the war in Ukraine.