Delay to build Ukraine housing estate in Laois town

A delay has been confirmed on a rapid build modular housing estate for Ukrainian families displaced by war in Laois.

A year to the month since the Goverment promised rapid houses for war refugees in Laois and elsewhere, it has emerged that they will not be built until October 2023.

In June 2022 the Government first approved plans to build 500 modular homes in 20 sites around Ireland, including one in Rathdowney.

Rathdowney is getting 42 of the pop-up homes in a council owned field on the town's outskirts near the golf club.

The estate will house 168 people, which the Government said will be to mainly Ukrainian women and children already staying in Laois. 

The semi detached two bedroom modular houses were first planned to be ready for families this June or July. 

Laois County Council CEO John Mulholland confirmed a delay to the June council meeting. 

"On the OPW's modular housing, we expect them to be ready in October," he said.

He noted that the population of displaced Ukrainians staying in Laois has passed 1,000 for the first time, 16 months since Ukraine was invaded by Russia.

Cllr John King noted that the site is being prepared for the housing, and urges that schools are notified.

1,000 Ukrainians in Laois which has welcomed a relatively small number of refugees

"I'm being asked again by schools. Hopefully the houses are ready in October. We need to be dealing with local schools. There could be a vacancy for a teacher.

"I visited the site, it is doing exceptionally well. All the bases are down," he said.

The houses are being built by the Office of Public works, funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The Department says that after three years, they can be removed or reused by the local authority for local needs.