Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

206. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there was a tender process for a specific project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6770/23]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

207. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform how the contractor for the construction phase of a project in a specific location (details supplied) was selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6771/23]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

212. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of all contractors that tendered for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7227/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 206, 207 and 212 together.

Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia’s armed forces in February 2022, Ireland has welcomed almost 70,000 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 2022, 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 rapid build, refurbishments and new builds.

On 28th June, 2022, the Government authorised the roll-out of the rapid build homes programme to provide accommodation for 2,000 Ukrainians nationals, 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 rapid build home programme.

Following a procurement process by the OPW, 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 rapid build homes for this project. The procurement process was undertaken in July and August, 2022 and approval to award the contract given on 25 August 2022. John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd engaged with rapid build homes manufacturers and established a framework of 5 suppliers with the capacity to produce the homes to the required standard.

An additional 200 homes was recently added to the programme, increasing the overall number to 700 to accommodate 2,800 Ukrainian nationals. The production of the homes required for the programme commenced in October 2022 and will be delivered on a phased basis for installation as site enabling works are completed. Site evaluation works continue to be undertaken by my Office in collaboration with John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd to finalise the selection of suitable State owned sites around the country, identified by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.