No reports of sub letting on modular builds

The Department of Integration has poured cold water on rumours circulating on social media that some of the rapid build modular homes in Cavan, put in place to help Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of their country, have been rented out by their original occupants for profit.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) says is has “not been made aware” of any alleged cases of the properties, provided to those fleeing the war in Ukraine, being sub-let to others.

Tuath Housing Association has been contracted to manage the modular builds nationwide, which cost approximately €145,000 each (45m² / 484sqft), inclusive of supply, delivery and provision of loose electrical and household items.

Including 28 homes at Farnham Road in Cavan Town, modular housing has been provided at seven sites nationwide, at Mahon in Cork, Doorly Park in Sligo, Thurles in Tipperary, Claremorris in Mayo, Clonminch in Offaly and Rathdowney in Laois. In total the 310 homes have capacity to accommodate 1,240 people, with the final stage of the programme to be delivered by the end of the year.

The spokesperson clarified that the modular homes are managed by Tuath who inform them when a unit is “surrendered by current licensees”. They added: “We currently have two vacant units that we are working on re-occupying by assessing suitable families in need of emergency accommodation. “

“Our 28 units in Cavan have been occupied and managed since August 2023. It is anticipated that all current 26 licensees will be offered a new licence in August 2024 for a 12-month period, which they must be present to sign following a physical inspection of the property. The new occupants of the vacant units will also be offered a 12-month licence once they are ready to move in and provide their income details. “In the situation where current modular build occupants do not renew their licence, they will be required to “leave and source their own accommodation”.

With support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) the department says it goes through an “assessment process” to ensure it has suitable families reoccupying any vacant units.

“Separate to the Rapid Build homes, the Department is reducing the number of contracts for accommodation for people from Ukraine. “

Contracts

The latest such decision saw close to 40 Ukrainians resident at The Bridge Guesthouse in Cavan Town informed by text message earlier this month that its Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP). contract is not being renewed in respect of the property.

Those residing at The Bridge have lived there since shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Many have jobs in the locality, children attending schools, and have developed connections within the wider community.

The Celt has learned however that, unlike the situation that faced more than two dozen Ukrainian refugees when the contract on a property in Ballyhaise ended, The Bridge residents have been offered new accommodation within the county.

The DCEDIY says it is “does not comment on individual contracts” but is currently working towards “reducing” the number of such contracts for accommodation based on “a number of reasons”. They cannot guarantee new accommodation will be provided in the same areas as before, saying it is “unlikely”.

“People affected who wish to stay in the area are welcome to make their own arrangements, including through pledged accommodation. Due to the scale involved, the only factors that can be considered when allocating follow-on accommodation are HSE assessed medical needs,” said a spokesperson. “We appreciate that this is not easy for people and that moving location can be very disruptive, but at all times we were clear that State-funded accommodation is temporary and subject to change. We need to provide the best we can for all those who came to Ireland fleeing the war in Ukraine, while balancing this with the requirement to make best possible use of State funds. “

The Department of Integration, meanwhile, says it has “no plans to use” the International Scout Centre at Castlesaunderson, the former White Horse Hotel in Cootehill or converted stables in the Castletara area for the purpose of housing refugees. A spokesperson said the Department is “not considering any of the properties mentioned” when asked to provide an update on the matter by The Anglo-Celt last week.

All three sites came under intense scrutiny when proposals emerged in the case of Castlesaunderson and The White Horse that they’d be used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees; while in Castletara the plan was to relocate 34 asylum seekers. The plans were met with public protest, the crux of the argument against being the suitability and the lack of available support services in the immediate locality.

The department confirmed in a separate statement that it has “no plans” to use either Castlesaunderson or the former White Horse to accommodate Ukrainians.

The spokesperson said “no offer or enquiry” has been received by the Department from the owners of these properties at this time.

They added: “As with all properties, in the event an offer is made in the future in respect of this site, it may be assessed for use.”