Plans for new centre for international protection applicants in Longford town takes fresh twist
Local politicians and local authority chiefs will ultimately have no influence on whether a new emergency accommodation centre for international protection applicants opens in Longford town, it has emerged.
The startling revelation comes following a week of mounting uncertainty over purported plans a new refugee centre was being earmarked for the county town.
Local politicians held crunch, behind closed doors talks with council chiefs on Monday that concluded without resolution.
“We are communicating with the relevant departments and talks are ongoing in relation to this,” said Longford Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry Hagan
“It's beyond the control of the councillors and Longford County Council.”
Local councillors had previously co signed a statement in which the six strong group expressed their “grave concerns” over the mooted plans.
“"It has been brought to our attention, that a premises has been identified in Longford Town, for the purpose of accommodating IP Applicants," read the statement.
"As a collective group, we have grave concerns regarding this issue.
"We are therefore seeking an urgent meeting with the Chief Executive of Longford County Council to clarify this situation."
It comes following recent findings which revealed how 13 new emergency accommodation centres for international protection applicants opened since last September without any local representatives being briefed.
The new data, provided by the Department of Children to the Public Accounts Committee, which has responsibility for Ireland’s asylum system, shows that 55 such centres were opened between September and late February as pressure on the asylum system intensified.
The Leader sought a response from the Department of Children and Equality over the claims but at the time of going to press no statement either confirming or denying the proposed plans was forthcoming.