Councillors tell State official Tipperary hotel's rural location unsuitable for asylum seekers
They highlighted their concerns to Department of Integration official who addressed council meeting and were told the provision of regular transport for residents is included in contracts for IPAS centres in rural areas
Councillors have urged the Government not to approve Kilcoran Lodge Hotel as an accommodation centre for international protection applicants because of its rural location, lack of public transport and pressure on local GP services.
These arguments were outlined to Eibhlin Byrne, National Lead on Civic Engagement with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth following her presentation to Tipperary County Council’s elected members at their monthly meeting.
The hotel’s offer of accommodation for international protection applicants is currently being assessed, the meeting heard.
Fine Gael Cllr Marie Murphy told Ms Byrne that signing an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) contract with the owners of Kilcoran Lodge was “totally wrong” because it’s in such a rural setting 8km from Cahir with no public transport and very limited taxi services. There was only one taxi in Cahir last year, she pointed out.
The Clogheen councillor also said it was impossible for people born and reared in the area to get a GP in this area and bringing new people into the community will make it even harder.
She commented that the Department didn’t seem to take into account 33% of Cahir’s population are non-Irish people, who she stressed are very welcome in the town.
Independent Cllr Máirín McGrath echoed her concerns.
“There is no public infrastructure, no paths, no public transport, no school places and no doctors,” she declared. She wondered whether concerns raised by public representatives were really taken on board by the Department or was this just a “box ticking exercise”.
Ms Byrne responded that she noted the issues raised about Kilcoran Lodge and confirmed the assessment of its application was ongoing. She explained the provision of regular transport for residents is included in IPAS contracts rural accommodation providers sign with the Department.