South Tipperary Independent TD Mattie McGrath has formally referred the recently announced multi million euro IPAS contract for Dundrum House Hotel(DHH) to the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Deputy McGrath is highlighting serious concerns over transparency, procurement procedures, and the suitability of the contractor involved. Documents released by the Government earlier this month show that the average cost of accommodation per night per person is €84 – meaning a one-year contract at full capacity of 277 persons could be worth €8.5M annually.
The Government contract for accommodation for asylum seekers in DHH has been awarded to Utmasta Limited, a newly formed private company incorporated in Spain in January of this year. The company lists a single director and has a declared capital of just €120. It is understood that the actual operator may be a company currently working in the county in the area of facilities management.
Deputy McGrath is also highlighting a number of legal and regulatory issues relating to the Dundrum House Hotel Complex. There are ongoing court proceedings, involving US investors, the current operator and a receiver. Dundrum Heritage Group is also taking legal action challenging the grant of a Section Five notice for the property(this confirms for the applicant that planning permission is not required for works or a change of use to use a property to accommodate displaced persons under the law as amended in 2022) and Tipperary County Council Planning office issued a warning letter to the owners over planning breaches.
Deputy McGrath says these issues bring the integrity of the entire procurement process into question.
Sinn Fein TD John Brady is to chair the PAC but as with all Oireachtas committees it has yet to hold a meeting since the November General Election.
