Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath raised the issue of the IPAS contract for Dundrum House in the Dáil last night. The Government is to move the issue of Migration from the Department of Children to the Department of Justice later this week.  Deputy McGrath says this impending change has left officials in the Department dealing with contract issues rather than a Minister being accountable. The TD also hit out at Minster Norma Foley for not being in the Dáil to respond to the Topical Issue although the Minster was in the Dáil for the previous business.

The TD raised concerns about the Department procurement process given that the 2 year contract for 277 persons in Dundrum House Hotel was signed  with a newly established company based in Spain despite there being a lack of an obvious track record in providing such a service  and the ongoing legal cases in the High Court.

Responding for the Government, Minister  Jerry Buttimer outlined that the property has not operated as a hotel since 2015 and stated that the Community Engagement  team had engaged with the community and provided a briefing note earlier this month about the contract and the services to be provided. The Minister says that the Department is satisfied  that the contractor fully meets the Department’s requirements and revealed that Utmasta is part of a wider group with experience in providing IPAS centres without providing details. Minister Buttimer says the planning issues are not affecting the part of the property to be used for the contract – this despite the waste water system being an area of concern for the Council.  Deputy McGrath called for the contract to be withdrawn pointing out that the parent company of Utmasta and Brogan Capital Ventures has not filed returns with the Companies office since  2017. Concluding, Minster Buttimer committed that if any action is required following the Legal actions or Planning issues the Department will act appropriately.