Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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480. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail how many rapid build accommodation units have been built to house people from Ukraine to date. [3946/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In 2022, the Government approved the construction of 700 rapid build homes with the potential to house up to 2,800 individuals in family units. The rapid build homes are being constructed on State owned land.

At end of 2023 the first phase of seven sites was completed, totalling 310 units accommodating 1,240 residents. These sites are at the following locations:

Following further engagement and the completion of suitability assessment work, further sites will come on stream in the first half of 2024. Work is currently ongoing on sites at:

Further sites are being identified for the remaining units.

For each of the rapid build sites, my Department is working with other Departments and Agencies to ensure that the additional resources needed are in place. My Department is working closely with the Department of Health in relation to the healthcare needs of displaced people from Ukraine. The HSE is being notified of the proposed number of residents for each site and associated potential healthcare needs. 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.

Local Representatives in each constituency where the first phase rapid build homes were planned received a full briefing from my officials and the OPW. This briefing of Local Representatives is continuing as more sites are identified.