Cllr Beard seeks modular homes for displaced Donegal families

Cllr Joy Beard has called for urgent action to ensure Donegal is included in discussions about the future use of state modular homes after March 2027.

Cllr Beard, 100% Redress, wrote to Minister Browne and has also emailed the Chief Executive of Donegal County Council on the matter.

The councillor is seeking an urgent meeting involving the Minister, his officials and Donegal County Council to examine whether suitable modular homes could provide accommodation for households displaced by the Defective Concrete Blocks crisis.

“Discussions are taking place about the future use of modular homes that will no longer be required for their current purpose after March 2027. Donegal must be included before decisions are made,” Cllr Beard said. “We have been begging for modular accommodation for families affected by defective concrete blocks.

“We cannot now be overlooked when the future use of these homes is being considered. I believe there is no greater need than in Donegal, where a housing crisis and a defective concrete crisis are leaving families with nowhere safe to go.”

“This is a humanitarian crisis. Behind every affected home are people whose health, safety, and dignity must come first. Families are living with fear and uncertainty, children are growing up surrounded by cracks, damp and mould, and older people and people with disabilities face the added difficulty of finding alternative accommodation that meets their needs.

“No family should be left in a dangerous property because they have nowhere else to go. Safe accommodation is a basic need, and the Government must respond with the urgency this demands.”

Cllr Beard said the danger facing people in deteriorating homes must be central to the Government’s response.

“No family should have to wait for a serious incident before suitable accommodation is found. Where there are concerns about structural safety, those concerns need an urgent, clear plan to protect the occupants. Telling a family they may need to leave is meaningless unless we can answer the question: where are they supposed to go?”

“Council tenants living in affected properties depend on the local authority being able to provide suitable alternative accommodation when the social housing scheme starts. Donegal County Council is left with very limited options.

“I have also emailed the Chief Executive of Donegal County Council because this requires an immediate, coordinated response. We need the Council and the Department working together now to identify suitable sites, establish accommodation needs and pursue every available option.”

Cllr Beard has asked the Minister to formally include Donegal in the Government’s deliberations, assess the suitability of existing modular units for redeployment and begin preparations with the Council before March 2027.

“Relocating existing units will require technical and financial assessment. That work should begin now. Where relocation is not feasible, the Government should examine delivering a dedicated rapid-build programme in Donegal.

“These homes represent a substantial public investment. Their future use must reflect the urgency and scale of housing need.

“Donegal families have already waited far too long. We cannot allow another opportunity to provide safe accommodation to pass us by while people remain in dangerous homes.

“Donegal must be at the table before these decisions are made. We need a clear commitment, a practical plan and urgent action.”