South Tipperary TD Michael Murphy says the issue of creating an International Protection Accommodation Centre in Dundrum for people seeking asylum in Ireland remains fluid with no contract in place as of now. Approximately 30 refugees from Ukraine and over 60 applicants seeking asylum are currently accommodated in Dundrum House Hotel Complex. The Ukrainian residents had been notified that they would be relocated by February 7th – this has been paused for now possibly until the end of the school year.
New legislation that allows for the appointment of three new ministers of state including that of Minister Colm Brophy who will be in charge of Migration was signed by the President last week meaning Minister Brophy can now be fully briefed by Department officials and Deputy Murphy is seeking a meeting with the Minister as soon as possible. The Department of Justice will now be handling Migration which was in a different department in the last Government.
Deputy Murphy met with Representatives of Dundrum Heritage Group yesterday – the group have made a number of complaints to Tipperary County Council regarding what they claim are unauthorised developments at the Dundrum House Hotel Complex and are also investigating taking a Judicial Review against the awarding of Section Five declaration by Tipperary County Council that confirms that no planning permission is required for the creation of an IPAS centre at the complex. This Section 5 declaration was granted on January 10th to Brogan Capital Ventures Limited, the council publishes these decisions on the council website as there are many situations where a Section 5 Declaration might be sought by someone about to undertake some development work on their property.
Deputy Murphy says the scale of the proposed IPAS centre with a capacity of over 270 persons is inappropriate for the rural setting with a local village population of approximately 200 persons and the importance of Dundrum House Hotel to the local community and south Tipperary in General as a hospitality and recreation venue.
