Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Under European Council Directive 2001/55/EC Ireland agreed to assist with the relocation of those fleeing the war in Ukraine. In response to the crisis, the Government has sought to provide a range of accommodation solutions.

As part of this considerable national effort, and following government decisions in March and June 2022, it was agreed to commence installation of Rapid Build homes to be occupied by those fleeing the war in Ukraine. The Government approved the construction of 500 rapid build homes on state owned land, which will aim to provide accommodation to 2000 individuals in family units.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) was asked by Government to develop a pilot programme of the initial 500 rapid build homes on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). That number was subsequently increased to 700 in October 2022. The programme is being progressed under the emergency derogations from planning that were provided for by Government under S.I. No. 306 of 2022 – European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations, 2022.

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. 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 the overall programme of works. Subsequently, John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd engaged in a separate competitive tender process with the rapid build homes manufacturers and assessed them to determine their capacity and capability to produce the homes to the required standard. Following this tender and assessment, John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd established a framework of five suppliers around the country to manufacture the homes.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) was asked to assist in identifying sites that might be suitable by seeking information from public authorities on potential sites in their ownership.

Once completed, the developments are to a high standard and include permanent infrastructure, high quality public realm, streets, water, waste, roads, pedestrian routes, lighting, landscaping, semi-private front curtilage and small private rear gardens. Five sites have now been completed and are occupied by residents at Mahon in Cork, Claremorris in Mayo, and Doorley Park in Sligo, Thurles in Co Tipperary and in Cavan town.

The average cost of each of the rapid build homes is €145,000. This includes construction, transport and installation of the units. In terms of cost information, the project is still ongoing and further sites are under consideration to facilitate the additional units. Until that process is completed, it is not possible to fully specify a final programme figure.