Over 60 families set to move into modular homes
Over 60 families or just under 250 people will get an early Christmas present with the news that they'll be moving into new modular homes in Tullamore early next month, it's emerged.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has confirmed to the Offaly Independent that the site in Clonminch is now completed, and is being prepared for the arrival of 64 Ukrainian families in early December.
Each of the units, described as “independent living modules”, will span 484 square feet and will have own-door access to accommodate a family of four.
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The sites have been developed in an “environmentally sustainable way”, according to the department, to ensure that post-development the site will enhance the local area.
It added that the completed projects will be of a “high standard” and will include permanent infrastructure, high quality public realm, streets, water, waste, roads, pedestrian routes, lighting, landscaping, semi-private front curtilage and small private rear gardens.
Last month, the OPW, who have been tasked with design, development and delivery of 700 rapid build homes on State-owned land, admitted that “further works” in Clonminch could result in a delayed finishing date. Initially, the timeline for completion was given as August but that was subsequently pushed out several times as local residents raised a number of concerns about privacy and boundary treatments in relation to the project.
The department conceded that a number of issues over the past few months were responsible for the delays, including "site conditions, remedial works, boundaries, ESB connections etc".
The homes, to be located just off the Portlaoise Road close to Clonminch Lane, are part of a Government-approved modular home project which would see 700 homes built and completed throughout the country. Each unit manufactured off-site is believed to have an average cost of €145,000, and include a kitchen-dining-living area, a bathroom, a small bedroom and a large bedroom.
The modular homes projects are being managed by the OPW on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, who are the approving authority for the programme.
Minister Roderic O'Gorman told the Dáil recently that a total of 310 units will be delivered in 2023, accommodating just over 1,200 people. The remaining sites will be progressing and occupied in 2024.
The Clonminch site will be managed by the approved housing body, Tuath.