The Government is likely to agree a contract with the operators of Kilcoran Lodge Hotel to provide accommodation for asylum seekers according to South Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath. The hotel operators had offered the 22 bedroomed hotel to the Department late last year for consideration as an IPAS accommodation centre. The Department confirmed to Tipp Mid West Radio last night that the offer is being assessed and says that if the offer is accepted , the Community Engagement Team will make contact with elected representatives, the Local Authority and other relevant groups in advance of the arrival of people seeking international protection to the area.
The Department also stresses that providing accommodation to asylum seekers is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of Ireland’s humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country.
The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people in over 320 international protection accommodation centres around the country.
The message the TD received from the Community engagement team says the situation as regards an IPAS centre at “Dundrum House Hotel remains unchanged” meaning no contract has been agreed and that the details of any contract at Kilcoran Lodge are “as yet unconfirmed.” Kilcoran Lodge is situated on the old Dublin Cork main road about 8 km south of Cahir.
