130. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 217 and 218 of 1 July 2026, the position regarding the future use of rapid-build modular accommodation developments (details supplied); the progress made by the interdepartmental group examining their long-term use; whether the potential transfer of these units for permanent social or affordable housing is being actively progressed; and when a final decision is expected. [74792/26]

132. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 217 and 218 of 1 July 2026, the extent of engagement between his Department, the interdepartmental working group and Tipperary County Council regarding the long-term future of a development (details supplied); whether discussions have specifically addressed the potential transfer or repurposing of the units for permanent social or affordable housing; the outcome of any such engagement; and the next steps envisaged. [74804/26]

133. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he will give an undertaking that no decision to remove, dispose of or decommission the modular accommodation units at a location (details supplied), will be taken without first completing a full assessment of their suitability for permanent social and affordable housing, in consultation with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Tipperary County Council. [74802/26]

134. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the interdepartmental process examining the long-term future of the 654 rapid-build modular accommodation units across 11 sites; the progress made since July 2026; whether a preferred future use has been identified for a development (details supplied); and when final decisions are expected. [74800/26]

135. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the planning regularisation and necessary modifications required to convert the Heywood modular accommodation development in Clonmel to permanent residential housing have been assessed; the estimated costs involved; and the anticipated timeline for completing such an assessment. [74799/26]

136. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has undertaken a specific assessment of the potential to repurpose the modular accommodation development at Heywood, Clonmel, County Tipperary, for permanent social or affordable housing; and the outcome of such an assessment. [74795/26]

137. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the nature and extent of engagement between his Department and Tipperary County Council regarding the future use of the Heywood modular housing development in Clonmel; and whether the council has been invited to consider taking responsibility for the development. [74797/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 130, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136 and 137 together.

The modular units delivered under the Rapid Build Programme, were developed in the first instance to temporarily accommodate people fleeing the war in Ukraine. In total, 654 homes were built across 11 locations, accommodating 2,640 people in family units of four, with children.

Future use of the rapid build homes, following the cessation of the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) has always been a fundamental element of the programme and was an integral part of the design of the homes and site layouts.

Under the Rapid Build Programme, the Office of Public Works (OPW) developed an exemplar single-storey modular design and specification to ensure Building Regulation compliance. The design is also aligned with the Department of Housing’s equivalent space standards to allow the units to be potentially utilised for social housing at a future date. While the units as built comply with social housing size requirements for a one-bedroom apartment, modifications are possible to convert two units into one larger three-bedroom unit to accommodate a family of five.

The homes are highly energy efficient, durable units with a minimum 60-year lifespan and the development of the sites has been conducted in an environmentally sustainable way to support long term residency and to ensure that, post development, local areas are enhanced. Each site has roads, footpaths, street lighting, community facilities, including green spaces, fully in line with Local Authority planning guidance.

While the TPD is in force, a planning exemption is in place to allow the use of the sites for temporary accommodation for the Ukraine response. This means that, at this time, the homes cannot be utilised for any other purpose. Temporary Protection was recently extended by the European Council to March 2028.

To determine the long-term strategy for the sites post TPD, a multi-stakeholder process commenced in March 2025, chaired by officials from my department and including representation from the OPW and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH). This working group has liaised with multiple organisations including the County and City Management Organisation (CCMA), as well as directly with each Local Authority with a rapid build site in their area.

To date, there has been no final decision made on long term future use, as discussions are ongoing with the need to explore all potential options within the local areas. However, these options include Social Housing and lower cost affordable housing such as Cost Rental.

In tandem with the consideration of the feasibility of potential future uses, the work involves exploring planning regularisation at each site. One of the first steps to securing planning regularisation is to ensure that all sites are zoned as residential where this is not currently the case. Local Authorities are in the process of completing this phase in their Local Development Plans under a variation process and is expected to be completed for all relevant sites by the end of 2026. Work is also underway to secure supports in drafting and submitting planning applications once the sites are zoned as residential.