The first of the new modular homes, currently being constructed here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary; latter designed to house fleeing Ukranian refugees, are expected to be fit for habitation, with the first residents to move in from the end of June if not earlier.
Nationally, work to identify residents for these new homes remains ongoing.
The Government has approved the construction of 700 rapid build units, for this purpose, as part of its overall response in providing accommodation for those fleeing from Ukraine as Russia continues to inflict daily death and destruction from Wagner assault troops.
This modular home national plan has the potential to house up to 2,800 Ukrainian people in family units of four persons, at an average cost of €145,000 per unit.
More than 70,000 people from Ukraine have arrived in Ireland, after fleeing from this Russian savagery, with more than 61,000 of them having sought accommodation from the Irish State.
It had been initially planned that same rapid build homes for refugees would have been installed by November last. However, understandable delays, confirmed by the Department of Integration, state that the delay in installing these modular homes, at a number of sites around the country earlier, were due mainly to challenges providing utility services; the timescale for manufacturing new modular home units which, in turn, had to be developed from scratch, and the preparation of the sites had taken more time and more work than had been originally planned.
The Office of Public Works (OPW); latter responsible for the delivery of the homes, before they are handed over to the Department, said it was proceeding with the project as fast as was possible and that the first homes will come into use on a phased basis over the coming months.
In total, work is under way on seven sites around the country, [e,g. Thurles Co. Tipperary; Cavan Town, Co. Cavan; Mahon, Co Cork; Sligo Town, Co. Sligo; Claremorris, Co Mayo; Rathdowney, Co Laois, and Clonminch Co. Offaly], with the afore mentioned development of 28 homes in Cavan being one of the first to be completed, together with the development of 64 housing units at Mahon in Cork.
The exteriors to each of the modular houses will be completed by contractors waiting on site. All of these new dwellings must comply with current building regulations and building control requirements and must achieve a 60-year durability in relation to all key elements included in their initial construction.
Laskavo prosymo do Thurles. [Ukrainian for “Welcome to Thurles”].
Leave a Reply