Since the outset of the war in Ukraine in early 2022, over 107,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland and over 84,000 of those have been referred to my Department seeking accommodation from the State.
Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types were contracted, hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings. My Department has been involved in building projects as outlined below.
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 and funded by my Department. That number was subsequently increased to 700 in October 2022.
The first phase of seven sites involving 310 units is completed with 1,240 residents having moved into their new homes. The cost of each unit is approximately €145,000 per unit (45m² / 484sqft), inclusive of supply, delivery and provision of loose electrical and household items. This is separate to the site development and utility connection costs, etc. relating to the overall development. As the project is still ongoing and further sites are under consideration, it is not possible to provide the information sought in the manner which the Deputy requested.
In March 2023, in addition to the OPW Rapid build programme, my Department was requested to explore a proof of concept modular accommodation project in respect of modular units with a faster delivery window than the OPW rapid homes project . One such project was initiated, in Columb Barracks, Mullingar, which is currently nearing completion.
This project is delivering 62 new modular accommodation units with accommodation for a maximum of 248 people. The first 50 units on the site are already occupied by families, with the final 12 units to be delivered over the coming weeks. The cost of each unit will be approximately €185,000 (52m² / 560sqft), inclusive of supply, delivery, fitting out and the site development and water connection costs. As the project is still ongoing, it is not possible to provide the information sought in the manner which the Deputy requested.
I would like to highlight that the sites in all of the above cases are the subject of leases or licences, and that none of the sites have been purchased by my Department to date.
