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.
