Local TD says Ballagh modular homes 'will not proceed'

The Department of Integration will write to Roscommon County Council this week to advise that proposed modular housing in Ballaghaderreen "will not proceed", according to local Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane.

“Thank you to everyone who joined our campaign on signing written submissions to Roscommon County Council. People power has won out,” said Deputy Kerrane in a social media post.

“And we’ve also sent a clear message to this Government - Ballaghaderreen has more than done its bit. We want and deserve additional resources and I will continue to pursue this. Well done everyone,” she said.

In the Little Oaks area of the town located near a nursing home, 47 modular units are being proposed to cater for 206 Ukrainian refugees. These homes comprise 18 three-bed units and 29 two-bed units.

Responding to queries today from the Roscommon Herald, a spokesperson for the Department of Integration said that the expressions of interest process for the provision of modular homes for Ukrainian refugees had closed earlier this month and were being “adjudicated upon”.

The spokesperson said that in November 2023, the Department opened a process seeking expressions of interest (EOI) for the provision of modular accommodation developments on gov.ie for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) fleeing the war in Ukraine.

“The EOI process is underpinned by clear guidelines and developments submitted for consideration can be up to a maximum capacity of 200 BOTPs.

“It should be noted that these and all the other expressions of interest received as part of this programme are very much at an exploratory stage,” said the Department spokesperson.

Roscommon County Council confirmed last week that similar plans for 120 modular homes in Roscommon Town and Boyle for 480 people will not go-ahead as the sites identified for the units are “not appropriately zoned”.