Plan for modular homes for Ukrainians in Limerick shelved

PLANS to erect 30 modular housing units in Kilmallock for Ukrainians fleeing the war have been shelved, the Limerick Leader has learned.

The modular homes, part of a national Rapid Build programme, were to be located on council-owned lands at the rear of Radharc na Cille housing estate in the town.

After the project was revealed in the Leader in January, over 1,300 people signed a petition organised by local residents entitled, “Stop modular homes in Kilmallock - our systems are overloaded”.

The 30 two-bed semi-detached units, each accommodating a family of four, planned for Kilmallock were to have a 60-year lifespan.

The Leader understands survey work was carried out at the proposed location and issues were identified with underground voids, including disused pipework.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), in collaboration with the Office of Public Works (OPW), is rolling out the Rapid Build programme to house beneficiaries of temporary protection fleeing the war in Ukraine.

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A DCEDIY spokesperson said the site in Kilmallock was assessed as part of the programme, along with many other State-owned sites across Ireland.

“Work is not scheduled to progress on this site currently. DCEDIY and OPW are working with the Department of Housing and other Government agencies to secure the most viable sites for the delivery of the Rapid Build programme,” said the spokesperson.

Cllr PJ Carey welcomed the news that the plan for modular housing in Kilmallock was being shelved.

“I said this was a non-runner from day one and how much money has been wasted coming to this conclusion? I believe that no development should go ahead without a full planning process. This emergency legislation is the lrish Government's response to its own lack of preparedness and dire lack of housing going back to an EU directive in 2003,” said Cllr Carey.

The Sinn Fein councillor said the town has opened its arms to refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

“Members of the Ukrainian community, who have been living in Kilmallock since the Russian invasion, recently hosted a party to say thank you to the people of the area for their kindness and support over the last 18 months.

“There were valid concerns including a lack of services and infrastructure if these modular houses were erected in Kilmallock.

The proposed development would have meant a 7% increase in the population of the town overnight and a population increase of school-aged children of nearly 25%, a type of population increase that typically takes over a decade," said Cllr Carey.

He said he would be very supportive of modular homes in locations with sufficient services to cater for the additional population influx and cited large urban areas as opposed to rural towns and villages.