Politics

OPW to defend ballooning cost of modular homes for people fleeing Ukraine

Public Accounts Committee will also quiz OPW on progress of flood relief schemes

Modular homes being prepared for Ukrainian refugees in Mahon, Cork. Photograph: Michael MacSweeney/Provision
Modular homes being prepared for Ukrainian refugees in Mahon, Cork. Photograph: Michael MacSweeney/Provision
Jack Horgan-Jones
Tue Oct 22 2024 - 08:28

The Office of Public Works will this morning defend the ballooning cost of modular homes provided for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Last month it emerged that the cost of the units had more than doubled compared to original estimates, and now stands at €442,000.

In a report in September, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) found that the total cost for the project of providing 654 homes will be in the region of €289.3 million

In an opening statement given to members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is due to hear from the OPW today, officials from the State body argue that the cost is higher than forecast because of the emergency nature of the pilot programme.

READ MORE

It also outlines issues such as “complications around sites, access issues and utility connections”.

It argues that the C&AG found that the cost of the programme was equivalent to providing hotel rooms for 2,640 Ukrainians for five years, but the modular homes will have a 60 year lifespan and can be used for social housing in the future.

“By any assessment it is better to have this new State asset, than to be renting hotel rooms for five years. This State asset will be available for another 55 years,” the committee will be told.

The OPW also pointed out that families were accommodated at 10 sites within 13 months, a relatively short timeline for housing delivery.

“An assessment on delivery of this project will begin shortly and will consider all of the factors,” the committee will be told, while the OPW will also defend the €1.4 million spend on a security hut at Government Buildings. It will say that while awaiting a decision on the conversion of a reading room in Leinster House into a second chamber or committee room, it is not taking any further action at this time.

The OPW will also outline steps taken in the wake of the Leinster House bike shed saga, including an independent audit of the project, and measures to strengthen value for money on future projects.

The OPW will also be asked about flood relief schemes – 55 of which have been completed while 100 others are under way nationwide.

The Committee is due to meet at 11am and will be chaired by its deputy chair, Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy, as Sinn Féin moves to replace its former TD Brian Stanley who led the committee during this Dáil.

Jack Horgan-Jones

Jack Horgan-Jones

Jack Horgan-Jones is a Political Correspondent with The Irish Times