Briain Kelly, 28 Dec
Galway County Council has approved a lease for the construction of modular
homes for Ukrainian refugees in Ballinasloe.
The elected members of the county council this month unanimously approved
the lease of 4.67 hectares of land by Galway County Council to the
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
This is for the construction of 64 modular rapid-build homes at Poolboy,
Ballinasloe to accommodate Ukrainian beneficiaries of Temporary
Protection.
The proposed two-bedroom units will each facilitate a maximum of two
adults and two children. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability,
Integration and Youth will provide for the management and maintenance of
the homes and site.
It is anticipated that the lease, which has been approved for a maximum
period of three years, will be agreed and signed in January 2024.
The original proposal was for the delivery of 92 rapid-build modular units
on the site. However, the plans were later reduced to a maximum of 64
units.
This decision was made following extensive engagement between the Local
Authority, the Department, the Office of Public Works (OPW), Elected
Members and local stakeholders.
The engagement process also featured a public information event in
Ballinasloe and a site visit to a similar development in Tullamore, County
Offaly.
Galway County Council has said it will work with the relevant agencies,
including the Department of Education, the HSE and local stakeholders, to
provide the additional supports required in Ballinasloe to facilitate the
new homes and the additional demand placed on local services, and in
extending a warm welcome to the families.