Work begins on modular homes for refugees

Construction on a housing estate for up to 100 Ukrainian refugees in Cavan town got underway this week.

Thirty high quality modular houses have been earmarked for the green field site on Farnham Road, and work is expected to be completed within two months.

Workmen arrived at the site, beside Drumnavanagh on the western fringe of Cavan Town, on Monday morning to remove hedges and open an access point. The original plan outlined to political representatives at a briefing in late July envisaged 60 houses being constructed to house up to 200 people, but those figures have since been halved. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has been tasked with housing those fleeing the Russian invasion who have applied for accommodation. A Department spokesperson outlined that the Office of Public Works (OPW), which owns the site, carried out an assessment and deemed it suitable for 30 homes.

Residents in Drumnavanagh previously advised the Celt that much of the lower lying land was prone to flooding.

The 30 Cavan semi-detached units are among the first of 500 modular accommodation units to have received Government approval nationally.

In excess of 42,000 of the 53,000 refugees who have arrived in the Republic have applied for accommodation from the State, and DCEDIY say their focus is on their “immediate, short-term accommodation needs”.

Sisk have been appointed as the main contractor for the project. A process to identify suppliers for the modular units continues.

A Department spokesperson confirmed, the units are due to be delivered “by the end of year” and outlined: “The site will have roads, footpaths, street lighting community facilities, including a play area and green spaces fully in line with local authority planning guidance. The modular homes will be highly energy efficient, durable units with a 60-year lifespan and the development of the sites will be conducted in an environmentally sustainable way to ensure that, post development, the site will enhance the local area.”

The Anglo-Celt asked if DCEDIY anticipate that, when the Ukrainian conflict finally concludes, the houses will pass into the Cavan County Council’s social housing stock?

They responded: “Specific planning regulations in place for emergencies such as this allow for the development of modular accommodation quickly, however the site can only be used for this purpose for a maximum of three years, after which a full routine planning process must take place to determine the future use of the sites. Full public participation will be welcome as part of this process and where possible observations will be used to enhance the project delivery.”

The DCEDIY said they are working with other departments and agencies including the HSE and Department of Education to ensure the additional resources needed are in place.

“The Department of Education is planning for the extra school places that may be needed. If the local school does not have enough places, alternative arrangements will be made to bring occupant children to schools close by.”