Plans to accommodate refugees in former Dundalk orphanage
Former orphanage could accommodate up to 260 displaced Ukrainians
The former St. Joseph's female orphanage and Industrial School and St. Malachy's Convent at Seatown in Dundalk could accommodate up to 260 displaced Ukrainians by the end of 2024, according to information released by Louth County Council.
The Ukraine Response team at Louth County Council facilitates the delivery of accommodation under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) led Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme (ERUP), for beneficiaries of temporary protection. Following refurbishment, The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) enter a contract with the provider to manage and operate the facility.
The Department’s objective is to relocate beneficiaries from hotel, or other unsuitable accommodation to more long-term accommodation delivered through the ERUP initiative.
Seatown Partnerships received a DCEDIY Letter of Intent (LOI) for the refurbishment of the former St. Joseph's female orphanage and Industrial School and St. Malachy's Convent, at Seatown Place, Castle Street, Dundalk to accommodate up to 260 displaced Ukrainians by the end of 2024.
Louth County Council had granted conditional planning permission for a development consisting of the conservation, extension and change of use of the former orphanage & industrial school and St Malachy's Convent, and the construction of 58 new apartments in November 2022, with An Bord Pleanála granting planning permission with revised conditions in April of this year for the development, following an appeal against Louth County Council's decision.
The LOI for another location for accommodation, Building 3, St Mary’s Drumcar, is with Louth County Council. The refurbished building was handed over in June. Louth County Council says that it is expected that DCEDIY will enter a contract with the Council this month to provide accommodation for 63 Ukrainian beneficiaries in the newly refurbished B3 until 2026. This brings the capacity at Drumcar campus to 188.