'Dropped out of the sky' Laois locals react to Ukrainian rapid build estate plan

A Laois community has given a mixed reaction to plans for a rapid build housing estate for Ukrainian refugees.

Work has already begun to prepare a state owned field outside Rathdowney town, to place 42 semi-detached modular homes.

The development will add some 168 people to the community for the coming three years.

The Ukrainian refugees are expected to move in by July, and the Government says that priority will be given to women and children who are already staying in Laois in emergency accommodation.

A large crowd of local people came along to see the plans at an information evening in Rathdowney library last Thursday, February 9.

Most of them who spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live are ready to welcome wartorn families.

However there was a lack of trust expressed by many in the Government’s stated plans, and annoyance at the lack of consultation.

A family who live on the edge of the same field came to view the plans, and said that this was the first time anyone has spoken to them on it.

Expressing concern to the Director of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme Eibhlin Byrne, they noted that work has already started on the site and asked for fencing, and what will happen in three years if the war is ongoing.

A farmer who owned land close by, said “it's after being dropped out of the sky”.
“There's not a lot of thought gone into it. Transport will be a problem,” he said.

A local person claimed that a rural school has not been contacted to see if there are school places yet, despite the Government stating that the Department of Education is planning for extra school spaces required, as well as school transport.

More below photo

Below: Paddy Ryan, Pat Delaney, Helen Campion, Diarmuid Gibbons and John Aherne at the Rathdowney information day. 

One woman said she has been on the housing list waiting for a council home for the past ten years, renting three miles from town.

“We are not racist, we accepted a lot of people in the direct provision centre. But people in Rathdowney are on the housing list for 10 plus years. There are six houses being built and I asked and was told they are all allocated. I am sure many people on the list would like a modular home,” the woman said.

“It's most unfair and undemocratic. We have a housing crisis already,” another person commented.

A businessman compared the homes to a “trailer park”.

"I am concerned about the quality of the houses, they are being forced on us without any consultation. This is putting 12 to 15% more on the population of Rathdowney, at 1,340 people. I am concerned that no politician came today to answer questions. We're not being asked for opinions, we're being told what's put there, like it or lump it. I have no objection to the Ukrainians whatsoever as long as they are respectful,” he said.

Unlike some other towns in Ireland where the rapid build estates are being built such as Macroom and Newbridge, there was no protest in Rathdowney.

“We want to welcome them, but you hear stories, they say it will be Ukrainians but I don't know if that's necessarily the reality. I hope they are Ukrainians and they will be welcomed. The main thing is they need to ensure there is propert services for them, transport is abysmal to and from this town,” a man said.

Derelict unfinished Laois estate to be bought up by local authority

“The council owned this land for 20 years, why did they not build social houses before now? Cattle grazing on it. Shame on them,” a woman said.

"In general people here are very welcoming to people in difficulties, but the interests of everybody have to be catered for, visitors and locals," another Rathdowney resident commented.