Senator Garret Ahearn is to raise the use of Hearn’s Hotel in Clonmel as a possible IPAS Accommodation centre for people seeking asylum with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderick O’ Gorman later this morning. The issue is listed as one of the Commencement Matters selected by the Cathaoirleach for discussion when the Seanad begins today’s session at 9.30 am. The Minster and the Senator will have a 10-minute time slot on this issue.
It is understood that Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill met with the Minster yesterday to discuss a number of concerns across the county about how the IPAS (Asylum) and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) for Ukrainian refugees’ services are operating in county Tipperary – the meeting had been sought some time ago.
Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath has previously shared a response from Minister O’Gorman that the Department is considering using the Clonmel hotel for asylum seeker accommodation and will do so if a contract is agreed.
