South Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath is to raise the use of Rural hotels for IPAS accommodation with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Norma Foley in the Dáil this morning. The issue of migration is to be moved to the Department of Justice but this has yet to be implemented. The Topic is one of five topics selected for Dáil time this morning by the Ceann Comhairle. Deputy McGrath is guaranteed 6 minutes time as is the Minister.
In recent months Hearn’s Hotel in Clonmel has become an IPAS centre providing accommodation for persons seeking asylum in Ireland. At present Kilcoran Lodge Hotel near Cahir and the Dundrum House Hotel are also being considered for use as IPAS centres.
Two separate legal actions are delaying the issue of a contract for Dundrum House Hotel – at present approximately 30 Ukrainian Refugees are in Dundrum and approximately 70 IPAS applicants. The Department considers that the complex has capacity for 277 persons.
Both of the cases are to be heard in the High Court before the end of April – one of the legal actions is by the American based investors who dispute ownership with the current operator and the second legal action is being taken by the Dundrum Heritage Group challenging the Section 5 Declaration granted by Tipperary County Council which confirms that no planning permission is needed for the hotel to be used as an IPAS centre due to amendments to planning legislation in 2022.
