Tipperary asylum-seeker centre plans scrapped

Independent Tipperary Cllr Máirín McGrath said that in following up on an original statement a few weeks ago, she could confirm that the Department of Integration is no longer considering Abbey House on Abbey Street in Cahir for use as an IPAS centre following an offer by its new owners.
'Tipperary County Council had rejected the Section 5 exemption for this building a number of weeks ago so the contract couldn't go ahead without proper planning approval,' said Cllr McGrath. 'No appeal to this rejection was made by the owners to An Bord Pleanála. The only route this property can change use now is to apply for full planning permission.'
Last week, the Government published a list of accommodation centres returning to their original or alternative use. Among them is Dundrum House Hotel in west Tipperary, which has been the subject of numerous protests and controversies surrounding proposals to offer refuge for international protection applicants.
The Government has announced that in respect of Dundrum House, 31 residents will be relocated by June 1 this year.
'The need for accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine is decreasing across the country,' announced the Department of Justice.
'This means that some Ukraine accommodation centres will be closing, and some people will be asked to move to new accommodation.
'This process was paused during March to allow for greater planning and notice periods for residents. Relocations of residents from some Ukraine properties are now being planned to begin in June and continue throughout the summer period.
'State accommodation contracts may also be ending where compliance issues arise, or where the owner chooses to end their contract.
'Because the Department must ensure value for money and an effective system overall, this means some people will be moved to other locations, if they still require State-contracted accommodation.
'Properties can return to private use, tourism or student use, and a small proportion may be used for International Protection accommodation.'
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The Department will be sending updates, through the accommodation providers, to the residents who will be affected, to let them know that the contract is ending with that provider.
'We will inform them that if they wish to continue to receive State-funded accommodation, it will be provided in another location. We will be giving them the final contracted date of their accommodation, at least 30 days in advance. In some cases, where possible, notice periods of greater than two months are being provided.
'We will also inform people of their options to source their own accommodation if they wish to stay in the area, either through the pledge and Offer a Home schemes, subject to availability, or privately using supports available to them such as rent supplement.
'All residents who request continued State accommodation will be moved. The Department has to make best use of existing accommodation contracts, and so new locations may not be in the same area,' added the Justice spokesperson.
This announcement comes after a €16-€20m contract to house 277 international protection applicants at the hotel was awarded to a Spanish company last month. The move has been widely-criticised and the issue has been referred to the Public Accounts Committee for scrutiny.

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