New Government asylum seeker plan's impact on Laois Ukrainian hub debated in Laois
Council Cathaoirleach insists use of Stradbally hall will not change
New Government plans will not mean the Ukrainian accommodation in Stradbally can be used to house asylum seekers but Laois County Council has received offers that could see people seeking international protection in other parts of Laois, according to county councillors.
This emerged at a meeting in County Hall Portlaoise where county councillors agreed that the ongoing underutilisation of the Stradbally Hall facility was an absolute waste of taxpayers' money. One councillor insisted that it should be used to house Irish homeless people, not asylum seekers.
Councillors gave their views at a meeting in County Hall on the day that the Government agreed on a new accommodation strategy for International Protection applicants. It’s planned to move away from full reliance on private providers and towards State-owned accommodation by 2028.
Cllr Aisling Moran, independent, raised the implications of the plans at the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District meeting on March 27.
She feared the plans laid out for temporary accommodation were in line with what is provided at present for Ukrainians given refuge in Stradbally Hall.
“They are going to be using portabins, which is what is in Stradbally and it is going to be State-led. I am asking if we can have a guarantee that it is not going to be used for International Protection Applicants and only for Ukrainians.
“At the moment I think it is a disgrace that there are 915 beds vacant in Stradbally. If it is €100 a head it works out at nearly €4 million that there is nobody in,” she said.
She feared that a change of legislation might allow the Government to tell the site owner Thomas Cosby that people seeking international protection could be moved into Stradbally.
However, Cllr Paschal McEvoy, Fianna Fáil, insisted there was no mention of Stradbally in the new Government plan. Laios County Council's Cathaoirleach was anxious that the “wrong signal” would sent out about the use of the accommodation for Ukrainians.
He insisted that there would be no change of use.
“Currently there are 81 people in Stradbally...I agree that paying for 915 beds is an absolute disgrace and a waste of public money but I know from Thomas Cosby that he will not have anybody but Ukrainians on the site and the end of May is the closing date of the contract.
“I also want to emphasise that they are decent people that have come to Stradbally since day one,” he said.
Cllr Aidan Mullins, Sinn Féin, said he had visited the Stradbally facility with other councillors a month ago. Cllr Mullins said he learned on the day that there is room for the State to seek a rebate at a later date for accommodation not used.
He also said the units in Stradbally would be removed from the site in June but Cllr Mullins said the local authority is assessing offers.
“The council is currently assessing three offers of sites across the county,” he said.
Cllr Ben Brennan, independent, was also frustrated by the situation at Stradbally.
“I was absolutely gobsmacked to see the (quality of) facilities there and we have people dying on the streets and we will not put them into it. To me, it is a shame on the Government to allow that to happen.
“It is all about money. It is terrible to see our people dying on the streets…Irish people should be put in there if they have nowhere else,” he said.
Two contracts have been signed by the State, via the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth, with Mr Cosby to provide accommodation for Ukrainians in the Laois town. The first was agreed with the time of the Electric Picnic to house Ukrainians in tents.
It was indicated that this would not be extended but a second contract was subsequently agreed for 915 Ukrainians to be accommodated temporarily at upgraded facilities.
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman announces new approach with Minister Norma Foley and Minister Helen McEntee. PIC: MAXWELL’S - NO REPRO FEE
Accommodation in the new strategy will be delivered through the following multi-strand approach:
- Use of State land for prefabricated and
modular units
- Conversation of commercial buildings
- Targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties
- Design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres
- Upgrading of IPAS centres.
A statement said several State-owned sites have been identified, with assessments underway for use. The Department intends to bring the first sites into use within months. In addition, an expression of interest for possible purchases of accommodation will issue in the coming weeks.
The Department said that while delivering State-owned assets through purchase, build and the use of State land, the delivery by commercial providers will supplement State-owned beds, and seek to raise the overall standard of accommodation within the system.
The statement also said that in addition, the phased and planned approach to accommodation will allow for enhanced community engagement to ensure planning for the provision of essential public services and to assist with the welcome and integration of new arrivals.