Minister declines to give update on future use of Clonminch modular homes

In a response to a Dáil question, Housing Minister James Browne has declined to comment on the future use of modular accommodation units at Clonminch in Tullamore, saying this was currently being decided as part of an "ongoing deliberate process".

The units in question were erected in 2023 to accommodate people fleeing the war in Ukraine, with the first arrivals moving in towards the end of that year.

Independent TD Carol Nolan said that, while the units were put in place to accommodate Ukrainian families, there has been no clarity to date on what the long-term plan for them will be.

In a written Dáil question last week, Deputy Nolan asked Minister Browne if the modular accommodation at Clonminch was "formally categorised as rapid build accommodation" for the purposes of housing and local authority assessment.

In response, the Minister said the Office of Public Works (OPW) had been tasked with the roll-out of the rapid build / modular homes as part of the effort to accommodate people from Ukraine.

"The modular accommodation at Clonminch, Tullamore was developed as part of this rapid build programme. The future use of these rapid build units are part of an ongoing deliberate process and I am not in a position to comment further at this time," the Minister stated.

He added that "permanent social housing" was required to comply with planning regulations and met specific standards.

"In addition, all long term, permanent social housing (including those employing modern methods of construction) is required to meet all parts of the building regulations, and have a 60-year durability," the Minister's written reply stated.

Commenting on the Minister's response, Deputy Nolan said the lack of a clear answer on the future use of these units was unacceptable.

"The Government was able to deliver these units at speed, but when it comes to explaining what happens next, suddenly everything becomes vague. People in Tullamore are being kept in the dark, and that is disrespectful to the community," she said.

"These units were built for a specific emergency purpose. That purpose has now evolved. Offaly deserves to know what comes next."