Major modular homes scheme earmarked for Ballinasloe site
A site in Ballinasloe has been identified to accommodate over 90 modular homes for Ukrainian refugees, it has been confirmed.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) said the 92 units on a local authority site, will house families of four which would total over 360 people.
While the department did not name the location of the site or indicate when the units would be in place, Roscommon TD Claire Kerrane, in recent days, named it as a site at Poolboy, Ballinasloe. The Sinn Féin TD said she has sought a briefing from Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman for further information which she said she would with share constituents once she had it.
Earlier this year, a meeting of local councillors heard that the OPW was examining a site in Poolboy for modular homes.
A brief statement from the Department said that as part of the State’s Humanitarian Response to the Ukrainian crisis, the Government is rolling out a Rapid Build Housing Programme to provide accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine.
“Following government decisions in March and June 2022 the Office of Public Works (OPW) was asked by Government to develop a pilot programme of 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,” it added.
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, which in effect, means the modular homes do not need the usual planning approval to proceed.
To identify sites for the programme, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) was asked to assist by seeking information from public authorities on potential sites in their ownership.
“As part of the programme a local authority site has been identified for use in Ballinasloe which will accommodate 92 units for families of four. As with other sites a programme of community engagement is ongoing.
An information session has taken place with local authority officials and local councillors. Work is currently ongoing to schedule an information session for local residents and there is ongoing engagement and information sharing with services in the locality,” the department said following a query from the Westmeath Independent.
The modular homes programme aims to provide short-term accommodation to 2,800 Ukrainians, in four-person family units, at several sites. The other sites in the Midlands are in Tullamore in Offaly, and Rathdowney in Co Laois, both of which have been delayed to date.