Minister updates Dáil about €6 m Laois Ukrainian modular homes

Final work is underway on modular homes for Ukrainians in Laois and Offaly which will have cost an estimated €15m when completed, the Minister responsible has told the Dáil.

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O'Gorman told TDs that the first phase of seven sites would see the completion of 700 rapid-build homes on State-owned land around Ireland. 

He gave the update in reply to a question on the provision of modular homes for Ukrainian refugees had been brought by Marian Harkin TD. Homes in Rathdowney and Tullamore are in the first batch of prefab houses to be completed.

"Five of the sites, accommodating a total of 204 units or over 800 people, are complete and the residents have moved into their new homes. Final work is progressing on the Rathdowney and Tullamore sites, and these sites are due to be handed over by the Office of Public Works in mid-November," Minister O'Gorman said.

"A total of 310 units will be delivered in 2023, accommodating just over 1,200 people. The remaining sites will be progressing and occupied in 2024," he added.

The statement from the Minister is in line with an update from Laois County Council on the homes. The new Laois estate of 42 semi-detached two-bedroom prefabs are expected to house 168 war-displaced Ukrainians.

Each unit measures in the region of 45 square metres in area and costs approximately €145,000 to construct. Some estimates have put the cost of the houses higher at €165,000.

Meeting this latest target could prove difficult as a picture taken in early November shows that a lot of work is yet to be completed. The estate was meant to be ready by June 2023 to house Ukrainian women and children in Laois.

The OPW scheme in Tullamore comprises of 62 modular homes off the main Portlaoise road close to Clonminch Lane.

The bill for the Laois houses looks set to come in at around €6 m while the Offaly homes will cost €9 m on the basis of the construction price per house estimate outlined.

The OPW told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) previously that 700 modular homes project would cost some €150 m to bulild.

The homes will include a kitchen-dining-living area combined, a bathroom, a small bedroom and a large bedroom. The homes are said to be will be highly energy efficient, durable units with a 60-year lifespan.

Councils have been told that could be used as public housing when no longer needed by the Ukrainians.