From top: Baggott Street Hospital, Dublin 2: Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien
This morning.
Via Irish Times:
Temporary accommodation may be needed for up to three years for Ukrainian refugees, with each local authority mandated to develop a significant housing centre in their area.
….Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien told Cabinet that he intends to use legal powers available to him to heavily restrict local authorities’ capacity to waive rates, in an effort to combat vacancy.
Ministers were told that powers would be used to allow a range of temporary facilities to be built bypassing planning – including medical, residential, education and childcare facilities.
Ministers were told that each local authority will be asked to identify one building in public or private ownership and develop a plan for its refurbishment.
Several large buildings have already been identified, many of them Health Service Executive properties.
Cabinet was told they include Baggot Street hospital and former institutions St Ita’s in Dublin and St Loman’s in Mullingar, as well as St Brigid’s nursing home in south Dublin and St Peter’s in Castlepollard.
Temporary housing for Ukrainian refugees may be needed for up to three years (Irish Times)
Meanwhile…
Hosting Ukrainian refugees: ‘They do become like family’ https://t.co/MmUooRGCLn
— The Irish Times (@IrishTimes) April 27, 2022
This morning.
Meanwhile…
Developer Michael O’Flynn
Last night.
Prime Time on RTÉ One.
One of the country’s leading property developers has criticised plans to house Ukrainian refugees in temporary modular homes on State land.
Michael O’Flynn, CEO of the O’Flynn Group, said that the State should instead be considering more permanent housing solutions.
“Temporary modular buildings will be taken down in a number of years. That is not a solution,” Mr O’Flynn said.
It is hoped that construction will begin on the initial phase of 500 modular buildings as soon as possible, according to Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien.
“I cannot believe we’re going down that road,” Mr O’Flynn said.
Modular homes ‘not a solution’ for Ukrainian refugees – developer (RTE)