Dept of Integration: No contract in place for modular homes in Coole

The Department of Integration has reiterated that it has not contracted the developer of Coole Court to provide modular housing at the site.

A little after 2pm, articulated trucks carrying 18 modular homes that were due to be installed on an adjacent site to the development left the north Westmeath village after local protesters blocked access.

The trucks, plus a number of cranes, arrived in Coole in the early hours of this morning, but were greeted by a group of local protesters, who had camped out for a number of nights.

Last week, Westmeath County Council issued an enforcement notice to the owner of Coole Court, who also owns the adjacent site, after receiving a number of complaints relating to groundworks being undertaken to facilitate the installation of modular homes.

Statement in relation to Coole Court, Coole, Mullingar, Co Westmeath

In October 2023, the Department entered into a contract for 98 beds for International Protection applicants at a property in Coole Court, Coole, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, N91 F7XR. A two year contract was signed with the provider.

The department has no contract in place for the provision of modular homes at this address.

The department did receive an offer for additional capacity at the site through the tender process. This offer has been rejected, as it did not comply with planning regulations.

The provider has already been advised that this offer was refused. Only the accommodation currently in use at this site is contracted to the department and no additional capacity is planned at this site.

The department is clear that no contract for modular units will be entered into at this site.