Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice Slams Escalating Costs of Modular Homes

Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice Slams Escalating Costs of Modular Homes

Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice has strongly condemned the government's handling of the modular housing project for Ukrainian refugees, highlighting the ballooning costs and lack of accountability. The recent report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) has revealed that the average cost of delivering each modular home has soared to an astonishing €442,000—more than double the original estimate of €200,000 per unit.

Fitzmaurice, appalled by the revelations, stated: "Yet more millions thrown on to the bonfire of public money that continues to blaze under this government. These are 600 square feet homes—the average size of a 3-bed in Dublin is 1,200 square feet, so the taxpayer is, in essence, paying €440,000 for half a house."

The government initially approved a €100 million budget for the project in June 2022, which was expected to deliver 500 modular homes by February 2023. However, delays and cost escalations have resulted in the project being extended to 2024, with the cost per unit rising dramatically. By July 2023, the target was increased to 700 units before being scaled back to 654, further pushing costs upward. The report estimates that the total project could cost nearly €300 million.

Fitzmaurice emphasized the inefficiency in managing public funds, noting: "We must remember these modular homes are being built on state-owned land, so there is no cost for the land itself. It is astonishing to me and illustrates the sheer contempt they have for taxpayer funds. They throw it around like monopoly money, and there is no accountability—it has to stop, it’s as simple as that."

The C&AG report attributes the rising costs to various factors, including inflation, contractor expenses, and supply chain difficulties. Nonetheless, Independent Ireland is calling for greater transparency and oversight to prevent further wasteful spending.

Fitzmaurice concluded: "This government cannot continue to pour money into mismanaged projects while the public suffers"