24 modular homes to be built for Ukrainian families in Sligo
A SLIGO TD has told the Dáil that families in his constituency who have been on the housing list for decades are asking where Irish citizens are in the ‘pecking order’ after it was announced that 24 modular homes were being built at Doorly Park, Sligo which are “exclusively for Ukrainians”. The homes will be built on the site of the former old maisonettes in Dooarly Park. Independent TD, Mark McSharry, speaking in the Dáil, said that “as part of the nation’s welcome efforts to accommodate Ukrainian refugees running for their lives, in an unprecedented development, on Sligo County Council-owned lands, the OPW and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have invoked emergency planning regulations to erect 24 very fine modular homes exclusively for Ukrainian refugees.”
Deputy MacSharry stated: “Some of the over 1,500 families on the Sligo housing list, 2,400 on the Donegal housing list and 700 on the Leitrim housing list, all within my constituency, none of whom have a home, have told me they are beginning to wonder where they come in the
pecking order as Irish citizens when it comes to Government action,” he said.
Addressing Taoiseach Micheál Martin directly, he said:
“They asked me to ask you, Taoiseach, why emergency planning has not been invoked to provide them with modular homes. Many of whom have been on the housing list for over a decade.
“What would you like to say to these families,” the Independent TD asked.
An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin told Deputy MacSharry, that the development “was a pilot scheme in respect of Ukrainians”.
“We have now, with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, also said that we want to build rapid-build housing for the social housing list.
“I believe we have to build more social housing and generally within the housing we are building through our conventional model – what we are saying now is that, in addition to the record number of social houses we have built this year, we will now also consider rapid-build housing.
Deputy MacSharry said that people in Sligo felt they were not being prioritised.
“Once we look after everybody else, we will look after the people in Sligo,” Deputy MacSharry said.
In July details of the project, which is being rolled out in urban areas across Ireland to secure accommodation for thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing their homeland and arriving in countries across Europe including Ireland, was revealed.
Councillors were told the project could have a Sligo town element with a site in the Doorly Park area flagged up as suitable to build what are described as modular housing units. In July it was suggested that as many as 30 modular homes might be built, this has now been reduced to 24.
Marian O’Callaghan, Architect’s Department, Sligo County Council, speaking at a meeting of the Borough of Sligo Municipal District in July, said three sites were considered, two of those discounted:
“Potential sites for temporary modular accommodation for Ukrainian refugees were identified in Sligo as part of a nationwide project to accommodate families and individuals from Ukraine fleeing the war.
“Three sites were identified, two of those were since discounted as unsuitable for various reasons.
“The site chosen is formerly the site of the Doorly Park Maisonettes at the junction of Doorly Park and Cleveragh Drive has been selected by the OPW as a potential private project site.”
She said the next stage in the process is for the OPW to investigate the site to determine the potential for development use. If the project should proceed it will be managed by the Department of Equality, Children, Disability, Integration and Youth for the duration of the Ukrainian crisis. The site will then revert to Sligo County Council for use as a housing site.” This week it was confirmed that the houses will be built rapidly and are not subject to normal planning rules, which will ensure they can be provided speedily.