REVEALED: Public verdict on size of 'Smart' homes in Limerick

PEOPLE surveyed on whether they preferred a small or large modular housing unit “overwhelmingly” went with the latter.

That’s according to council’s senior housing executive officer Sarah Newell, who was speaking on Mayor John Moran’s flagship housing scheme at this month’s metropolitan meeting.

Two purpose-built rapid-build housing units were put in place in Arthur’s Quay Park in September.

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The public could go in and view one large and one small unit, before giving their feedback to council.

The large modular home measured around 45 square metres, while the smaller one was just 30 square metres, and comparable to ‘micro-apartments’ which can be found in cities like Tokyo, Paris and New York.

Ms Newell said on the basis of the engagement that the public “have a preference for the larger unit type”.

She added this verdict “came through overwhelmingly in the surveys which were done.”

Mayor Moran is hoping to deliver 2,000 of these so-called Smart - or short-term modular affordable rental transition - housing units in a bid to tackle the homelessness crisis by increasing supply.

He’s identified a number of different tracts of land in the city to build upon, but has run into opposition on some sites, particularly at Boro Park on the southside.

Since the public viewing of the units finished, they have lain idle, with Fine Gael councillor Dan McSweeney describing them as an “eyesore”.

Ms Newell said: “At the moment, we are engaged with the suppliers to have them removed before Christmas. We are working with them to ensure they are decanted off-site.”

At the metropolitan meeting, Cllr McSweeney said more than €100,000 had been spent on the public display in the heart of the city.

“We paid €70,000 excluding VAT to rent the prototypes for people to come and see them. We spent €21,923 excluding VAT to hire a security firm to protect the protypes while there was public engagement. We spent €12,656 excluding VAT on branding and printing for design around the prototype. I think we’ve wasted enough tax payers’ money. Over €100,000 has been spent on this project, and a pet project at that,” he said.

The figures declared by Cllr McSweeney were not disputed by officials at the council meeting.